Balsa de San Roque: a recovered legacy

The Balsa de San Roque, a historically and culturally significant feature of Valdeltormo, has been the subject of an ambitious restoration by the town hall. This site, which in the past was crucial to village life by storing rainwater for various uses — from watering animals to human consumption in times without running water — is now preserved as a tangible testimony to local history.

For years the pond remained hidden under rubble, with a small park built over it. However, the municipal vision chose to recover it and display it as heritage. The works, which represented an investment of more than €110,000 and were carried out in two phases, succeeded in uncovering the structure while keeping its original stone steps — which allowed access to the interior — intact. To ensure visitor safety and prevent accidents, a protective metal fence has been installed and a viewpoint has been built on a platform, from which its architecture and significance can be admired.

The restoration of the Balsa de San Roque not only recovers a monument, but also revitalises the collective memory of the village, connecting the present with the practices and lives of its ancestors, underlining the value of water and local ingenuity.