We learned in school that the Ebro is the largest River in Spain, but we weren’t told much about the beauties of its mouth, or delta. So, it is time to complete the school data with some information about the spectacular, intense and bright space that is today the Delta del Ebro Natural Park.
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We learned in school that the Ebro is the largest River in Spain, but we weren’t told much about the beauties of its mouth, or delta. So, it is time to complete the school data with some information about the spectacular, intense and bright space that is today the Delta del Ebro Natural Park.
The River pulls from the Cantabrian and Pyrenean Mountains the materials that then deposits here, at its mouth in Tarragona, and this is how, over the centuries, a humid and flat area has been formed, crammed with marshes and animal species. The birds have here one of their paradises, so logically, it’s also a paradise for all the people interested in ornithology.
There are few places like this where you can see the picture of a group of pink flamingos on the water, with the solar disk in the background. It is one of the many sweet things for photographers that you are going to find if you walk around the park calmly.
Because calm is essential here, that must be clear. So you can calmly venture into one of the marked trails that there is, and which are the best way to enjoy this gigantic landscape of dunes, lagoons and beaches.
It is usually recommended to start the route at Punta del Hangar, a large sand arm that extends in the Northern part of the park. But the most common area of the place is the island of Buda, right at the mouth. It is not something that has always been here but began to form, apparently in the eighteenth century, according to plans and documents of the time. And by the way, its name has nothing to do with Buddhism. Buda is the Latin name of a plant that abounds in the area.
Luckily, the first owner of the island and those who followed took good care not to damage the ecosystem, and both fishing and traditional rice farming were reasonably carried out by the 200 people who inhabited the island in 1950. They even had their own football team. So the place could have been exploited to the max and its natural wonders be a thing of the past, but no; the island is still here, surrounded by the River and the waters of the sea. And we are delighted.
Although the serenity of this place can be addictive, you also have the option of getting close to Poblenou del Delta, a beautiful village of white houses in the middle of an excellent environment. Perfect for sitting and watching the birds while time goes by without notice.
