Embalse de San José, stuwmeer in Valladolid, Spanje
San Jose Reservoir, also called Castronuño Dam, sits on the Duero River and uses gravity dam construction to hold back water across the landscape. The structure includes a footbridge at its crest and feeds irrigation channels on both sides that water agricultural lands throughout the region.
Construction began in the 1930s and finished in 1945, replacing a grain mill site that had operated at the location. The inaugural ceremony in 1946 marked an important moment for the surrounding region.
The name San Jose references the patron saint under whose protection the area was dedicated. Today visitors walk the paths to experience how water and green spaces blend together, pausing at viewpoints where the river landscape opens up across the valley.
Visitors can explore the area using several walking trails, including routes starting from the Muela viewpoint, with some paths taking about three hours to complete. Information signs along the way explain the wildlife and plants, while the Casa de la Reserva at the top of the village provides background context.
During the 1946 inaugural ceremony, the military band scheduled to perform met with an accident, so local musicians stepped in and played in their place instead. People remember this unplanned moment with joy as a show of community spirit on that special day.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
