Lake Sanabria: Magic, Beauty And Legends

It is to the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and more than a thousand meters above sea level. Lake Sanabria is one of the jewels that the province of Zamora hides. A wonderful place included in a natural park that we are going to visit. Do not miss it!

The origin of the Sanabria lake

This is the largest glacial lake in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. It has an area of ​​almost 3.5 km², a length of 3 kilometers and an average depth of 46 meters. The main flow that feeds it corresponds to the Tera River.

Its lake basin originated after the Wurm glaciation (more than one hundred thousand years ago). In this terrain, ice tongues of more than 20 kilometers were formed. This is the reason why the landscape here is one of wide canyons, moraines on the perimeter of the lake and glacial striae.

Thanks to the same glaciation process that formed this lake, several lagoons were also created distributed throughout the Sanabria Lake Natural Park. A place that is worth a getaway.

Sanabria Lake: perfect for a day at the beach

Yes, in addition to strolling through its magnificent surroundings, Lake Sanabria allows you to spend a day in the sun, baths or water games. In it you will find several beaches of sand and stone, ideal to enjoy a beautiful day in full contact with nature. And in its waters you can practice fishing and bathing.

In the west of the lake, the main beaches Viquiella (the largest in the park) and Custa Llago, both with fine sand. In the southeast there are more options: El Folgoso, el Pato, los Enanos and Los Arenales de Vigo, all with sand and stones intermingled and a grassy area that can also be enjoyed. And, to highlight their beauty, they are protected by a beautiful forest.

A getaway to enjoy nature

You can take a day trip from one of the nearby towns to enjoy the lake or stay in its surroundings for a little longer. Here are campsites where you can spend unforgettable days in the middle of nature.

Surely you will not have time to enjoy everything that can be done here. You can rent boats and canoes to navigate quietly around the lake, you can go diving or go hiking in the surroundings.

You can also get on the wind-solar catamaran that has been operating on the lake since 2011 and conducts educational and tourist tours. During the journey you can see the bottom of the lake because the boat has an underwater camera.

From any point of view you will discover fascinating corners. Entering into the interior of the lake from the Custa Llago beach there is a 10 meter long underwater stone cut. And almost brushing with the other shore a kind of island called Las Moras and that has abundant vegetation.

Near the lake you can also visit the remains of the Bouzas spa, built in the mid-19th century on a beautiful spot on the right bank. The sulphurous medicinal waters were poured into bathtubs once they passed through a beautiful spring.

Myths and legends of Lake Sanabria

Lake Sanabria is a place full of legends and stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. The most famous is that of the origin of the waters over the town of Valverde de Lucerna.

As it is said, on the eve of San Juan a pilgrim sought refuge in several houses without obtaining a response. When he leaves the town he finds a wood oven and the women who were cooking bread feed him.

The pilgrim sticks his stick and water begins to flow. .. after a few hours the town is flooded, except for the place where the oven was (which stands out like an island in the middle of the lake).

In literature there is also talk of the lake. Miguel de Unamuno visited the area in 1930 and was inspired by its beauty to write San Manuel Bueno, martir. In this book there are two poems: the first refers to the town of San Martín de Castañeda and the second to the legend of Valverde de Lucerna.