30 circular lagoons. A unique place in Europe.

The LIFE Ballesteros project brings a karst system on gypsum back to life, just 20 minutes from Cuenca.
Discover the wetlandThe LIFE Project
+30
circular lagoons
2026 - 2029
January 2026 to June 2029
Natura 2000 Network
protected area
A unique wetland

Cenotes,
in Cuenca.

More than 30 circular lagoons on gypsum, a unique geological system that the LIFE Ballesteros project is bringing back to life.
"How to look at a perfectly circular body of water from the sky"
30+
Karst sinks
Circular land depressions, created by the dissolution of water in gypsum rock, similar to Mexican cenotes.
About 20 minutes
From Cuenca
A natural treasure almost unknown to the residents of Cuenca themselves, waiting to be rediscovered.
Unique
In Europe
Karst over gypsum, a geological rarity on the continent.
The project in numbers

Full-scale restoration

280 hectares
Surface area of restored natural space
30
Dragonfly and damselfly species. One third of those in Spain.
x10
The area of natural habitats is multiplied by 10
250.000
Planted masiery
What are we doing

Three stocks,
one single objective.

Return the water
We recovered the karst aquifer by reducing water extraction for irrigation and rehabilitating the floodplain, which had been dry for decades.
To know more
Recover life
With the water, invertebrates, aquatic plants, amphibians, and birds return. We are recovering charophytes and cattails, and monitoring biodiversity.
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Benefit the territory
The lagoons are a natural heritage of the province of Cuenca. We create routes and educational spaces so that the local community can get to know them, visit them, and take care of them.
To know more
How we work

A process rigorous
and transparent.

01
Diagnose
We are analyzing the state of the aquifer, biodiversity, and pressures on the karst system to understand what each lagoon needs.
02
Plan
We designed an action plan with technical measures, agreements with local farmers, and land management.
03
Restore
We carry out actions in the field: elimination of water extraction for irrigation, flora recovery, visitor facilities, and scientific monitoring.
Gallery

Of dry lagoons
mirrors of life.

Latest news

What it is
Passing.

A public-private partnership

The partners who make it possible
Restoration.

Coordinate
Co-finances
Co-finances
Collaborate
Collaborate
Collaborator
Collaborate
Collaborate
Contributes
Contributes
The LIFE Ballesteros project is co-financed by the European Union's LIFE programme within the framework of biodiversity conservation and Natura 2000 network sites.
Come and see what few people know yet?

The lagoons are
waiting for you.

20 minutes from Cuenca, in the municipalities of Arcas, Valdetórtola, and Villar de Olalla. Free and marked access.
How to get thereDownload dossierContact