The Guadiana River and the Legend of the Moorish Princess at the Eyes of the Guadiana
In the province of Ciudad Real, the Guadiana River exhibits a unique geological behavior. In one part of its course, the water filters and disappears under the surface, flowing hidden. This stretch, which experts call "flows and disappears," ends when the river emerges impressively in a wetland. This resurgence point is known as the Eyes of the Guadiana. 🌊
A Legend that Explains the Spring
Popular culture attributes this natural phenomenon to a medieval-origin tale. Oral tradition tells that a Moorish princess named Sulema was enchanted in the caves through which the river flows hidden. The story narrates that she weeps ceaselessly for losing a Christian love. According to this belief, the water that gushes forth in the Eyes of the Guadiana are actually the eternal tears of the princess, emerging to the surface from her own eyes. Thus, a natural landscape is linked to a tale of tragic love.
Characteristics of the Geological Phenomenon:- The Guadiana River filters and travels an underground path.
- The water's resurgence occurs in a wetland called the Eyes of the Guadiana.
- This process defines the origin of the Upper Guadiana River.
They say that if you listen carefully to the murmur of the water, you can almost hear the weeping, although it's probably just the sound of your own water bottle emptying after the walk under the Manchegan sun.
A Space Where Ecology and Narrative Converge
The Eyes of the Guadiana are not just a mythological setting, but a natural space of great value. They are part of the La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve and create a unique ecosystem in the plain. This physical environment serves as the basis for the legend to persist in local memory, adding a layer of cultural meaning to an already remarkable hydrogeological fact. Visiting the place allows one to observe the natural curiosity while evoking the ancient fable. 🏞️
Key Elements of the Site:- Area of great ecological value within La Mancha Húmeda.
- The spring water generates a unique ecosystem in the plain.
- The site functions as the physical origin of the Upper Guadiana River.
The Persistence of a Cultural Tale
The combination of a singular hydrogeological phenomenon with a medieval legend enriches the perception of the landscape. The narration about Princess Sulema gives a human and emotional dimension to the water's resurgence. This link between geography and myth demonstrates how communities explain and personalize nature's mysteries, transforming a simple spring into a symbol of eternal love and loss. The next time the water springs forth, perhaps someone will remember the sadness of the Moorish princess.