Enchanted well in Brazil – history, description, photo, map
Chapada Diamontina National Park is located in the center of the Brazilian state of Bahia. The landscape of the park is very diverse, it includes mountain caves and landscapes, rapids of rivers, waterfalls and pools with incredibly clear and transparent water. Its main attraction, which attracts tourists, is the Enchanted Well and those fantastic metamorphoses that occur with it.
Story
The park was founded in 1980 and officially opened in 1985 with the main goal of preserving the unique ecosystem. About two centuries ago, people began to populate these places, dreaming of finding gold. Later, diamonds were miraculously discovered here, and, as one would expect, settlement began to occur faster and on a larger scale, which led to deforestation and landscape change. Of course, all this did not pass without consequences – the populations of many birds and animals declined. Many rare species are threatened with extinction, such as the giant anteater, the Brazilian tapir and the giant armadillo. However, small populations of jaguars, cougars, oedipal marmosets, yellow-bellied lizards, pampaw deer, boas and rare bird species, such as crested seriemoy, rhea, and toucan, still remained in the park. Today, the symbol of Brazil is the toucan bird.
Of course, this is not why the national reserve has become famous all over the world. Curious tourists from different parts of the world are attracted by the unique and inimitable Enchanted Well.
Interesting facts about Brazil in our article.
What is unique about the Enchanted Well
It received such a name for a reason, but due to the fact that one fantastic phenomenon is associated with it, which is repeated from year to year, from April to mid-September. What is needed to perform the bewitching action that takes place in the enchanted well? The sun and crystal clear water of a certain temperature, which has been maintained in an enchanted well for more than one hundred years.
“Well” is a small lake about forty meters deep. Although it was formed in a small, but rather deep cave, which underground rivers “carved out” for centuries. In order to see this unique miracle of nature, you need to go underground along a narrow path to a depth of 80 meters.
After the descent, you will find yourself at the extraordinary beauty of a blue lake with crystal clear water. The water is so clean and transparent that tree trunks are visible at the bottom, which have been under water for several centuries, and the depth of the lake is not small – 37 meters!
All the fun begins at eleven o'clock in the morning and continues until half past one in the afternoon. This is where the moment of mystery and magic comes in. At this time, direct sunlight penetrates through the cracks in the rock into the well and, falling into the icy water, is refracted. The water begins to glow with a soft blue and emerald glow. The entire cave is filled with turquoise light and sapphire highlights shimmering on the walls. This is an absolutely amazing sight!
The walls around the well are painted in various shades: from brown to pale blue. The closer to the water, the darker and richer the blue color, and the higher, the more natural its own color returns to the stone. The whole action lasts about one and a half to two hours. But at this moment you fall into the spell of the lake and are no longer able to tear yourself away from the magical performance.
When the sun hits, the water in the lake becomes even clearer and cleaner. Each pebble at the bottom of the well takes on its own color and comes to life. The rays of the sun, reaching the bottom of the well, are reflected on the surface and walls of the cave, representing an amazing doomsday. On a hot sunny day, cool water beckons to swim in it.
Visitor Restrictions
A huge number of people want to see such a delightful and unforgettable miracle. Therefore, the authorities have to limit the number of visitors. Brazilians are very sensitive to the preservation of the reserve, which is why excursions to the lake are limited to groups and under the ban on swimming.
Nature in the park and in the lake is very sensitive to human activity. The national park and the enchanted well are carefully guarded by the Brazilian government to protect this miracle. And, of course, it is forbidden to swim there, but luck smiles at some lucky ones!
If you want to get to know the park, explore its many natural attractions, visit the enchanted well, but don't know where to stay, you can visit the small town of Lensyis, located next to the national park! It used to be the third largest city in Bahia, but people began to leave these places, and now its population is only 4,000 thousand inhabitants. Here you can taste national food and plunge into the local flavor.