Reserva natural de Lagunas de Villafáfila, Protected wetland in Zamora Province, Spain
The Reserva Natural de Lagunas de Villafáfila is a protected wetland in Zamora Province, northwestern Spain, made up of several shallow saline lakes surrounded by open steppe grassland. The lakes shrink and grow with the seasons, which shapes the range of wildlife that can be found there throughout the year.
Salt extraction in this area dates back to prehistoric times, and the saline lakes were worked for centuries because of their economic value. In the medieval period, salt production here became a royal monopoly, which shows how important the resource was to the Castilian crown.
The traditional adobe dovecotes scattered across the reserve are among the most visible signs of rural building traditions in the Zamora region. Visitors can still spot these structures in the landscape and get a sense of how people once organized their lives around this land.
The visitor center El Palomar provides information about the reserve and has artificial ponds designed to make wildlife watching easier. Since different bird species pass through at different times of year, it is worth planning your visit around the season that interests you most.
The reserve holds one of the largest populations of great bustards in Europe, and these birds are among the heaviest in the world capable of flight. Birdwatchers travel from across Europe to see them here in the open steppe.
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