Puntos de Interés
Hydrography
River Sil
The River Sil rises in province of León, at 1,980 metres above sea level at Peña Orniz in the Cantabrian Mountains. Along its 234-kilometre course, it first flows 115 kilometres through León before entering Galicia, where it travels a further 119 kilometres to its confluence with the River Miño in Ourense. Curiously, at this point, the Sil contributes a greater volume of water than the Miño itself, despite being its tributary. This peculiarity has given rise to the popular saying: O Miño leva a fama e o Sil dálle a auga ('The Miño takes the fame and the Sil gives it the water.')
The name Sil may derive from the Indo-European root sei- meaning "to drip," "to run," or "humid," used in ancient Europe for hydrological terms; and the designation of the region as Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Riverbank) is linked to the presence of numerous monasteries since the early 5th century, the era when the region was settled by the Suebi.
Along its final stretch, before joining the River Miño, the Sil is encased in an impressive 15-kilometre long canyon, with granite walls that rise vertically between 300 and 500 metres. Although water is a powerful landscape shaper, granite is highly resistant to erosion. Therefore, the formation of this canyon is due not only to fluvial action but also to tectonic processes that have fractured and displaced the rock over time.
The river and its banks enjoy a high level of protection, notably the Canón do Sil Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which covers an area of 5,914 hectares and includes the canyon of its tributary, the River Cabe. This zone is an authentic natural refuge, with 19 protected habitats serving as sanctuary for 40 species of flora and fauna protected by the European Union.
For those wishing to immerse themselves in the majesty of this landscape, it is possible to tour the canyon by boat. Thanks to the reservoirs, the waters flow calmly, allowing visitors to enjoy a unique perspective of this spectacular natural setting.