Lock 5

Lock 5, built between 1759 and 1804, marks a new rise in the North Branch of the Canal de Castilla and maintains the characteristic structure of the simple locks in this section. Its oval basin, 23.30 meters long, 9.60 meters wide, and 3.60 meters high, is constructed of sandstone masonry, a resistant material that has allowed the original shape of the hydraulic structure to be preserved. On the left bank, a spillway discharges water through a buried concrete channel, which is integrated into the basin wall before rejoining the canal. It retains valuable elements, such as the original supports for the operating winches, which allow us to understand how the gates were operated.

Next to the lock are the remains of the lock keeper’s house, a small support building constructed during the same period. Although now in ruins, it retains parts of its structure and facades, allowing us to infer its original function as a space for monitoring and maintaining the lock. Its presence adds significant environmental value, recalling the daily life associated with the canal’s operation and the importance of human labor in this great hydraulic engineering project.

A visit to Lock 5 is a perfect place to understand the hydraulic heritage in a natural environment that invites contemplation and the leisurely discovery of the Canal de Castilla.