Beach, sports and nature in the largest 'lake' in Andalusia
Until just two years ago, the scarcity of rain made the Junta de Andalucía tremble when it observed that the most powerful reservoir in all of southern Spain was slowly dying.
The largest reservoir in the Community, well known as the “lake of Andalusia” , rose from its ashes with the rains of this 2018 , which have regained some of their capacity, enough to transform the swamp into the perfect destination for indoor water sports lovers.
Sailing in Iznájar
IZNÁJAR SWAMP
The Iznajar reservoir is at the foot of the Cordovan town of Iznájar , to which it owes its name. Although he also caresses the terms of Rute and Cuevas de San Marcos , other very interesting tourist destinations. Its pharaonic construction dates back to the 1960s and was designed around the town of Iznájar, which is located high above the ground, almost like a villa that watches over the horizon over the lake.
The reservoir is fed by waters of the river Genil , well known by fans of adventure sports such as rafting. In fact, with the Iznájar reservoir, the tourism potential of these lands, making it a very attractive alternative to Andalusian beaches, now so crowded.
Part of an enviable natural environment, bordering the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park , a paradise of Eden in terms of speleology, mountaineering and river hiking. More than 1200 different species of plants can be found in this Natural Park of rock, leaf and water.
From the balconies of Iznájar, "the sea"
Lake Andalusia offers so many tourist activities that it is almost difficult to list them all. In fact, **the Lago de Andalucía Nautical Station** this year is a hotbed of requests ranging from the boat tour through the waters of the swamp to practice water sports as unique as paddle-surfing, kayaking or light sailing. In addition, other sports related to the Genil can be coordinated, such as whitewater descent.
Not satisfied with that, they are encouraged to sketch hiking trails, river trails, and even caving , with destinations as unique as the bat cave. They are even prepared for the crazy lovers of canyoning!
The beach of the reservoir is another of the great attractions , as it brings together those who prefer a different type of beach, with calm waters and fresh air. Plus you can turn on the “Sunday mode” switch to to sunbathe and cool off in the beach bar, replacing a promenade with magnificent views of a pine forest. Why not?
But without a doubt, the initiative that has attracted the most tourists this year has been the possibility that the Lake Andalusia Nautical Station to be able to make one hot air balloon route . Departing at dawn, and always depending on the behavior of the wind, one can cross the clouds and visit this unparalleled landscape from a bird's eye view, literally.
From the sky, the calm, the silence broken by the breeze of the air and, without a doubt, , the possibility of photographing the best panorama of nature that can be seen in life.
Surroundings of Iznájar, between olive trees and blue skies
EAT AND REST DISCOVERING THE HERITAGE
The awakening of tourism in this area of Andalusia has meant that the towns around which the reservoir flirts are well prepared for tourism.
Precisely this is what allows us to gradually discover true jewels in this part of an Andalusia that, until barely half a century ago, was completely unknown.
The town of Iznájar already deserves a good morning if we want to discover all the Cultural heritage that it encloses inside its streets.
Undoubtedly, a starting point is the Iznajar Castle, which is the first thing that can be seen as we approach the town from the road (well, and from practically any point due to its elevation above the ground).
Much has been speculated about its age, since it was dated around the 8th century, but everything indicates that its construction and its constant renovations would keep the castle in motion until almost the 15th century. It has always been in private hands until 1991, when it became part of the local heritage, as well as being declared Well of Cultural Interest . His visiting hours are limited.
View of the town of Iznájar
- The town of Rute It also enjoys a great gastronomic reputation for one of its best-cared for handcrafted products: anise . In fact, the Rute Anise Museum attests that its aniseed spirits are a true institution, going through the experience of the 200 distilleries that have made their trade within its walls. Yes, they make you want to buy a house there.
- A very curious fact is that José Montilla, president of the Government of Catalonia from 2006 to 2010, is from Iznájar. Yes, a President but Andalusian. In fact, although he has always considered himself "a very Cordovan Catalan", he will go down in history as the " President charnego ”. Nonsense.
- The archaeological value of the Sierra Subbética is very high. In fact, it is a very important focus of marine fossil deposits such as the ammonites , that fossil shaped like a spiral shell similar to that of a giant snail. This is because more than 200 million years ago, this entire area was the bottom of an immense sea that disappeared.
Sunset from the Iznájar reservoir