Estany de Sils – Sils Lake 1hr approx from Sitges
Nature, culture & history
Natural protected area with ecosystem inhabited by birds and native flora
La Selva, near Girona, Catalonia 118 km, 1 hour 15 mins from Sitges via AP-7
Next to the village of Sills
- Was a lagoon/ancient 7 km² lake in 19th century
- Drained in fight against Malaria
- Was largest natural lake in Catalunya
- Now cropland, wetlands
- Diverse species of flora and fauna
- Tectonic depression without natural drainage
- Fed by Vallcanera, Caldes, Pins, Rec Clar and la Torderola
- Many species of birds
- Mediterranean Painted Frog, the Palmate Newt, the European pond terrapin and the small snake Natrix Maura
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Sils,_Catalonia
The LIFE – Nature project “Restoration and management of L’Estany de Sils”, promoted by Sils Town Council and Acciónatura in 1998, was based on four main actions:
- Acquisition of private land
- Regeneration of a permanent lagoon
- Management and recovery of swath meadows, wetland plant life and riverside woodland
- Adapting itineraries and viewpoints for public use