Lake of Banyoles, Natural lake in Pla de l'Estany, Spain
The Lake of Banyoles is a natural freshwater body in the Pla de l'Estany comarca in northeastern Catalonia, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of Girona city. The water fills an elongated basin surrounded by gentle hills and paved paths that wind along the shores, giving access to grassy areas and shaded spots.
The basin formed more than 200,000 years ago when tectonic shifts created a depression that allowed underground springs to rise and fill the hollow. During medieval times, monks from the monastery of Sant Esteve built channels to use the water for mills and irrigation.
Local residents call the body of water L'Estany and have used it for generations as a place to gather, walk along the shore, and cool off in summer. On warm afternoons families sit on the grass near the water while rowers glide across the surface, training for competitions.
The path around the shore is mostly flat and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, though steeper sections near the southern end require attention. On hot days trees along the western shore provide shade, and the three swimming zones are supervised during summer months.
The water is fed by a complex system of more than 20 underground springs that rise from the bottom and constantly renew the basin. These springs keep the water level relatively stable throughout the year, even during dry summer months.
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