Historic Church Submerged Once Again as Spain's March Rain Brings Relief Amid Ongoing Drought

Spain has seen a remarkable shift in its weather patterns, with an unusually wet March bringing much-needed relief to its long-running drought. The rains have helped fill critical water reservoirs, including one that houses the ancient Church of Saint Romà de Sau, which has now been submerged again after reappearing during drier periods.

The 11th-century church, a historic landmark in northeastern Spain, was submerged in 1962 when the Sau Reservoir was constructed, around 45 miles north of Barcelona. Over the years, during times of extreme drought, when the reservoir's water levels plummet, the church becomes visible once more. It is during these rare occasions that visitors have been able to walk to the church, a spectacle that occurred at the close of 2024 and into early 2025.

However, with the arrival of heavy rain this March, the water levels have risen significantly, once again submerging the church. While the sight of the church emerging from the depths has captured the imagination of many, locals like Jordi Bonich, a Barcelona resident, have expressed relief at the return of full reservoirs. "I, personally, prefer to see it at full capacity as water is life," Bonich told Catalan News, referring to the importance of maintaining adequate water reserves for the region.

Yet, this relief has come at a price. The torrential downpours, while helping to alleviate the drought, have also brought chaos. Flash flooding earlier in the month led to evacuations and caused significant damage to several communities across the country. In fact, March 2025 was recorded as the wettest March in Madrid since the 1890s, highlighting the intensity of the rainfall.

First revealed in 2023 after a severe drought 

Despite the positive changes, experts caution that Spain’s water situation remains precarious. While the rains have helped to temporarily fill the reservoirs, there is still a significant need for more consistent rainfall to replenish supplies across the country. Rubén del Campo, a spokesperson for Spain’s meteorological agency, emphasized the ongoing challenges. “We’ve come out of drought, but it’s not that there is a huge excess of water,” he said. “Spain is a country where water resources are never abundant.”

As the weather continues to shift, the nation remains hopeful that the rains will continue to provide much-needed relief, while also acknowledging the delicate balance required to manage Spain’s water resources in the years ahead.