Santillana reservoir, body of water
Santillana reservoir is an artificial lake in the Community of Madrid, formed by a dam on the Manzanares River. The water fills a wide valley with irregular shores, some lined with pine forest and others open to rocky hillsides.
The dam was built in the first half of the 20th century to help supply water to the Madrid region. Over time its role expanded and the reservoir now also supports irrigation and flood management downstream.
The reservoir sits close to Manzanares el Real, a small town whose medieval castle is visible from the shoreline. Many visitors combine a stop at the water with a walk through the town nearby.
The reservoir is reachable by road from several directions, with parking spots scattered along the shoreline. Water levels can drop considerably in summer, changing the look and feel of the shore, so it helps to check conditions before you go.
The reservoir sits on the edge of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, and the mountain ridge is reflected in the water on calm days. This position on the boundary between a protected mountain range and a managed water body is rare in Spain.
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