The terrible drought that hit all of Spain had many devastating effects across the country.
But one small positive that came out of this crisis was the re-emergence of a sunken 11th-century church in the Spanish village of Sant Loma de Sau. This historic building has recently emerged from the water in the reservoir as the water level is very low.
People known as “drought tourists” now travel from far and wide to see the 11th-century church, which was submerged under water 60 years ago.
Sixty years ago, the church and surrounding houses were flooded, forming the Sau Reservoir, which provides essential water to the city of Barcelona.
Usually, it is just the top of the church’s three-story tower protruding above the surface. But now the entire 11th-century building stands firmly on dry land and has begun to attract curious spectators.
“I can’t believe the water level has dropped this much,” said Sergio Ibérico, a local man who frequently visits the reservoir. He further added: “I remember when we paddled here the water level was as high as the windows of the church tower.”
In January 2023, the water level in the reservoir was 19%, which was concerning since the monthly average is typically above 90%. However, the current water level of the Sau Reservoir in January 2024 has reached only 6% of its storage capacity, a stark reminder of the crisis Spain currently faces.
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