Banyoles Lake is the largest natural lake in Catalonia. It is also the origin and main sign of identity of the city of Banyoles. It measures approximately 2,150 m in length, its maximum width of the north lobe is 775 m and that of the south lobe 725 m. The surface is 111.7 ha and the maximum depth is about 40 or 45 m, although there are places where funnels have been discovered that reach a depth of 120 m. The lake and its lake basin are considered to be the largest karst complex in the Iberian Peninsula and an environmental system of remarkable value.
Located to the west of the municipality of Banyoles, it was declared by the Generalitat de Catalunya as an area integrated in the Plan of Areas of Natural Interest (PEIN). In 2003 it was included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and has been proposed to be part of the Natura 2000 network, in the area of the Mediterranean region.
