The Covo Island, better known as the Island of Sculptures or Illa das Esculturas in Galician, is a park and island located near the mouth of the Lérez River, in Pontevedra, Spain. It has an area of 70,000 m² and is connected to both banks of the river by footbridges and pedestrian bridges. It is the largest and most important open-air museum in Galicia and one of the most important in Spain.
There is among other a 2 m high labyrinth, a 5 m high pink granite menhir at the crossroads or a floating house on the Lérez river at the bottom of the island. The aquatic fauna includes ducks and carps.
History
The island was formed in the river from the sediments transported by the Lérez River deposited there because the river is already very close to sea level and loses its strength to carry these sediments away. At first, an intertidal plain was formed, but the Lérez found this obstacle on its way to the ria and sought another alternative route, thus opening a channel on the right side.
The island remained in the wilderness until 1997, when it was transformed into a park. Later, a project for the development of this space was carried out, with the creation of contemporary artworks by 12 internationally renowned artists, which took as their central theme the granite of Galicia and the relationship of man with his environment. This is the most important example of land art, a trend in contemporary art, in Galicia. The project was officially inaugurated on 29 July 1999.
Description
The island, which has been declared a protected natural area, is almost a kilometre long and has an elongated shape. It has an area of rushes, meadows, a main path and secondary paths. Three wooden bridges cross the inner canal and a cable-stayed footbridge over the Lérez River connects it to the Paseo del Lérez. On the island there are 12 granite sculptures by international artists.
On the island come the tides and it is used by many birds as a breeding ground. It is a protected area declared LIC (place of community interest). Located near the Pontevedra Campus, the island is also used by many people as a place for walking or sports training.