Turbidites on the coast of the city of Barrica (Spain): photo and description

Many tourists have devoted more than one weekend to the country, which is rightfully considered the birthplace of the most passionate pair dances on the planet, one of the most impressive entertainments with bulls and the world-famous special sort of sherry wine. Do not forget about the peculiar climate, which makes it possible to fully relax on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean at any time of the year.

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But let's omit lyrical digressions and move directly to the coast of the city of Barrika, which among knowledgeable tourists has long won the title of one of the most picturesque corners on our planet. It is here, speaking from the waves of the sea, that a marvelous picture opens up before your eyes. Unusual rocky ledges that adorn this side of the coast of Spain like a necklace are called turbidites.

“Dragon's Back”

Even if you find yourself in these places for the first time, you can understand at a glance why the rocky ledges got such an unusual name. The fact is that the landscape is very realistic and really gives the impression that a huge dragon is resting in the local waters. It seems that the monster is about to wake up and everyone will be able to appreciate its phenomenal size. Once here, you unconsciously begin to feel all your insignificance in front of such monsters, about which so many documentaries and science fiction films have been shot.

Or maybe the dragon is not alive at all, and his back remained at the place of death of the beast as a centuries-old reminder of the true owners of the planet Earth. Be that as it may, but an unforgettable impression of what he saw is guaranteed to every visitor to the coast.

Under “turbidite” it is customary to understand a rocky ledge quite often found in nature, the lower part of which is hidden under water, and the tip is directed upwards at a slight angle. But what is special here? After all, almost every coast boasts its own “set” of coastal rocks and reefs. And you have to agree with this. But it's still hard to imagine that somewhere in the world there is something else similar, similar to the unusual “necklace” of turbidites that protrude above the surface of the waters in the northern part of the Bay of Biscay.

The coast of the bay along its entire length is cut up and down by rocky cliffs, which alternate with numerous beaches and small bays. In this fabulous place, even the ebbs and flows do not obey the known laws of nature. This is what attracts numerous geologists and naturalists to the coast of Barrika.

Natural rock necklace

In general, according to researchers who spent more than one month in these places, numerous turbidites can be conditionally divided into two types. The first are of fossil origin, were created many centuries ago, and at the moment are slowly rising from the bottom of the ocean, creating more and more new objects of natural origin on the coast. The second group is considered modern, their creation continues today. At a depth of two thousand meters, such cliffs are formed from soft materials, including sand, which contributes to their gradual erosion by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

All this looks as if there is some kind of natural forge under the water column, where millions of marine inhabitants work day and night, creating more and more rocks, and then, as if in a showcase, exposing the result of their work to the public. And, although this process takes more than one month, and even a year, many of the tourists who return to this amazing coast after many years are delighted to discover something new for themselves that they have not seen before. And after that someone will dare to assert that nature is inanimate?

If you try to compare the protruding chain of rocks, then only a rich necklace comes to mind that rests on the thin neck of a lovely lady. Like a rich decoration, a lot of turbidites adorn the local coast, adding a few more points to Spain in the conditional list of places attractive for tourists. It is to these rocks that thousands of tourists rush, filling the city of Barrika with new emotions and impressions.

City of Barrika

This is how you can call the city of Barrika, which is located in these lands. It is a provincial town and belongs to the autonomy of the Basque Country, whose inhabitants in themselves are a landmark of Spain. Their strong temper and unshakable faith in their own independence are known all over the world. A colorful appearance and unusual traditions perfectly complement the image of proud stubborn people.

As for Barrica itself, this city is considered one of the most ancient cities in the province of Biscay. According to historical sources, the first mention of it refers to the year 496, which is considered to be the date of its foundation. Along with this, a number of excavations carried out give reason to believe that these places were inhabited much earlier.

Place of tourist pilgrimage

The coast of the town, whose main attraction is a chain of rocky ledges, is one of the most favorite places for photographers and just those who have devoted their whole lives to the pursuit of vivid impressions. Hidden talents are revealed here, and picturesque landscapes, like a catalyst, give impetus to the most unbridled and daring imagination. It is here, among the monolithic ledges, that the past comes into contact with the present, the most favorable atmosphere is created in order to be alone with your thoughts and look into your own soul. Photos taken at any time of the day are truly impressive and bright. Each of them is unique, because the weather here can change several times a day.

As for hiking along the coast, many knowledgeable people advise choosing the time of low tide for such excursions. It was then that you can appreciate the full scale and grandeur of the local natural landmark. Each of the rocks appears as naked as possible, exposing its huge silhouette. Just imagine, the water level at low tide and high tide differs by about 5-8 meters.

Integral elements of this place are dense fogs that envelop rocky ledges, bringing a special flavor and mystery to the landscape. This picture evokes thoughts of distant islands where pirate settlements once arose, of how many ships found their last refuge among such ledges that mercilessly tore apart their wooden hulls. A special greenish coating on the surface of turbidites, which is formed by numerous algae, gives these gray and brown giants a little iridescent colors, as if masking them from the eyes of numerous sailors.

How to get there

To join the numerous ranks of fans of the local beauties, it will be useful to know how to get to the coast of Barrika. Many tourists prefer to use the services of companies that provide cars for rent. The best option is the route from Bilbao, which is only 23 km along the highway. Finding the rocky masterpieces themselves will not be difficult. They are located at a distance of several hundred meters from the central square of Barrika.

You can also use a more budgetary way by taking one of the many buses that will gladly take everyone to the picturesque coast. For the convenience of tourists, a metro line also runs here. A trip by this type of public transport will take no more than 35 minutes.

If you are seriously thinking about where you could replenish your memories with new vivid impressions, and at the same time, so that the trip does not hit your pocket, we recommend that you go to the coast of turbidites in Spain. Trust me, you've never seen anything like this before!