It was a spectacular day in Rota, which allowed us to enjoy a day full of activities. After walking the city centre, enjoying this so close and unknown city, the best was yet to come: seeing the sunset in the fishing weirs.
The path that takes you to the beach seems specially designed for this experience: infinite pine forests that you go through wooden paths…
… that lead to this wonder: the Rota fishing weirs (Corrales de Pesca de Rota).
Artificial stone structures that, since ancient times (some attribute their authorship to the Romans), serve as fishing systems.
The idea was witty and simple: to build walls of sandstone and lumaquelas (sedimentary rock formed by shell fossils)..
… and equip them with a system of gates.
At high tide, the compartments were flooded by the sea and filled with fish, octopus and mollusks…
At low tide, the water moved away and they were trapped inside, making it easier to fish them.
To visit them, you must make an appointment at the Tourist Information Centre of Rota.
They are in charge of managing the visits to this wonder, which was the first Natural Monument declared in Andalusia, with the Asociación de Corraleros de Rota.
It is a different and interesting experience, with a unique cultural and natural value..
But it is not an easy activity, as you have to wear proper shoes…
… and be ready to go up and down the stone walls (which can be difficult sometimes)…
During the visit, we found a corralero in action: they capture with traditional tools such as the francajo (the tip of a long iron hook joined to a wooden handle), the cuchillo de marea (a kind of sabre) and the tarraya (a kind of net).
… and, after showing us what he had gotten that afternoon…
… he continued his way through the fishing weirs…
If you’re lucky enough, you can find species apart from fish, like the Holoturoideos, better known in Cadiz as carajo de mar.
… or cuttlefish like the one hidden in this picture (could you tell us where it is?)…
… you can see it a little better here…
Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting activities you can do in Rota…
… and, in addition, it rewards you with a unique sunset…
(In this article we talk about the #DiscoveringRota Experience, blogtrip organised by the Town Hall of Rota, the Provincial Tourism Board, Vive Andalucía and La Espadaña Aparthotel. We talk about our experiences without any type of censorship or previous revision.)