An 11th century church, a megalithic complex: the significant drop in the level of water reservoirs in Spain has caused monuments usually covered by water to reappear, attracting tourists wanting to take advantage of a “
unique opportunity
”.
Due to a lack of rainfall, the water reservoirs, built to secure the supply of cities and agricultural plots in a very dry country, were at around 36% of their capacity at the end of August, according to official data.
A level so low that the church of Sant Roma de Sau in Catalonia, a village engulfed by the construction of a reservoir in the 1960s, has risen almost entirely when we usually only see the end of its steeple out of the water.
Read alsoCorpses, Nazi ships and “hunger stones”: these buried remains that resurfaced with the drought
“Drought” tourism
Attracted by the publication of photos on social networks, curious people have been coming for days to practice “
drought tourism
” and see this 11th century church up close, invisible in normal times.
"
We said to ourselves: 'let's take a closer look'
" because "
it's been a long time since the reservoir has been this low
", says Nuria Ferrerons, 45, who was influenced by photos seen "
recently on social media
”.
Oars in hand, two tourists pass quietly in a canoe under an arch of the church.
Around the walls, fences have been erected to prevent the curious from getting too close, as these ruins can represent a danger.
“
Usually, we only see the steeple
“Enthuses Sergi Riera, who also came to see with his own eyes”
something that had not happened for years
“.
In the Valdecanas reservoir in Extremadura, western Spain, it is the megalithic complex Guadalpera, also called the “
Spanish Stonehenge
”, in reference to the English prehistoric site, which has resurfaced on an islet.
The standing menhirs also attract tourists there, some wishing to meditate there, transported by boat by several private companies.
Read alsoThe beautiful summer of Spanish prehistorians, between an Andalusian Carnac and a Stonehenge emerging from the waters
“
People leave enchanted
” after the “
guided tour
” of the megalithic complex, explains Ruben Argenta, owner of a leisure company based in the reservoir.
Manuel Mantilla is one of them.
This sexagenarian, who came especially with his wife from Cordoba, in the south of Spain, explains that he learned "
through the press
" that the complex "
was exposed because of the drought
".
“
We saw this as a unique opportunity
,” he concluded with a touch of optimism and philosophy.