Less than an hour from the city of Seville, where the first glimpses of the Sierra Morena begin to appear, Seville hides a unique mining landscape dominated by the province’s Blue Lake.
Lago del Mirador, also known as Lago de San Fernando, offers a unique view of the area around Villanueva del Río y Minas. It takes just 40 kilometers and less than an hour from Seville to come face-to-face with this striking color contrast: the turquoise waters of the lake set against wild vegetation mixed with coppery hues.
What makes this spot so special, beyond its unique beauty, is its formation. The Blue Lake is the result of human intervention. In the 1980s , this area was an open-pit coal mine nearly 50 meters deep.
When mining activity ceased, the rising water table flooded the excavation, creating this lake of crystal-clear waters.
It is currently located in a private area with restricted access, and swimming is not permitted, but it remains a unique visual attraction and the site of specialized training exercises by the UME.
Munigua: the unknown Roman city in the province of Seville
One site that can be visited and is located just seven kilometers from the lake is the Mulva-Munigua Archaeological Site.
Considered the largest iron producer in Roman Baetica, it is possibly one of the least known Roman sites in the province of Seville.
The site allows visitors to explore the Sanctuary of Las Terrazas, an impressive temple dedicated to Fortuna and Hercules that crowns the “Sacred Hill,” as well as to stroll through the remains of its forum, basilica, thermal baths, and walls.
After the mineral reserves were exhausted and an earthquake in the 4th century AD, the city was abandoned, remaining frozen in time until today.
It is open to the public free of charge from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
