Cortegada Island, Island in O Carril, Spain
Cortegada Island is a roughly 54 hectare island in the Ría de Arousa with low-lying terrain that reaches about 22 meters above sea level. The landscape includes seasonal lagoons and is largely covered by dense woodland.
In 1910, local residents purchased the island through public donations and gave it to King Alfonso XIII, who never built his planned summer home. The land was previously home to a church that attracted pilgrims and held religious significance for centuries.
The island served as a gathering place for religious observances that attracted people from nearby communities. Today visitors can still see traces of this spiritual role in the ruins, which show how significant this place was for local people.
At low tide, visitors can reach the island from the mainland via a natural pathway called Camino del Carro. Access depends heavily on tidal conditions, so checking tide schedules before visiting is advisable.
The island is home to one of the largest laurel forests on continental Europe with many rare plant species. This dense woodland sets it apart from other islands in the region and makes it special for nature lovers.
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