Piscina Natural de Madrigal de La Vera
The Piscina Natural de Madrigal de la Vera is an open-air swimming hole in a gorge fed by rivers and underground springs that collect in several natural basins. The water varies in depth and is surrounded by rock formations, small waterfalls, and dense green vegetation.
An ancient Roman road once passed through this gorge, with visible remains still seen in some areas today. In the 18th century, a medieval stone arch was built across the ravine, constructed upon the remains of an even earlier Roman structure.
The pools take their name from the nearby village of Madrigal de la Vera, which is famous for paprika cultivation that flavors the local cuisine. These natural basins function as gathering places where families and neighbors spend time together and maintain a connection with the land and water that defines their community.
Access is via a simple dirt path running alongside the river, reachable in minutes from a free parking area. Picnic spots and small bars are available nearby, but umbrellas, glass objects, and metal items are not permitted.
Underground springs feed the basin with clean water that requires no chemical treatment and stays so pure that the bottom is visible. The site is sometimes called Las Chorreras, named after the small waterfalls that cascade down from above into the river.
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