Santa Amalia's spooky stories III. The ghost whirlpool of Búrdalo.

Burdalo's bridge, on Torrefresneda's road.

Búrdalo river is a short afluent of Guadiana. It is no more than 65 km long. It is mainly shallow (no more than 1,5 - 2 meters deep). But, as all rivers, it has some dangerous areas...

When going from Santa Amalia to Torrefresneda, you have to cross Búrdalo by the N - 430 bridge. There, the river reaches more than 5 meters deep; even more. On that place, from time to time, it appears "the ghost whirlpool": a strong and unexpected water current which swallows everything it takes.

    Burdalo river next to San Isidro.

The ghost whirlpool not only appears on that place; it also shows up between San Isidro's bridge and the ford (the ford: an old river pass over some tubes whereby the water flows). Old people still warn children about the river when going to San Isidro's shrine on May, the 15th: "Don't swim in the river!!", they say "Búrdalo looks peaceful, but is treacherous!!" And certainly it is. More than one and more than two Amalianers drowned in its waters when fishing in the river was an earning - life option.

Water whirlpool.

What to do if a water whirlpool swallows you?

If you have the misfortune of being swallowed by a whirlpool (in Búrdalo or somewhere else), not all is lost. There is one last option you have. Don't fight against the whrilpool. Let him absorb you; and when you will be at the bottom of it, swim away (all meters you can), and then try to reach the water surface. Thus, you will have left the whirlpool behind you, being safe and sound.