Designated in 1988

This nature reserve is located near Coimbra, in the lower river Mondego area, in west-central Portugal.

The great productivity and wealth of the Paul de Arzila Nature Reserve results from the constant presence of water. The area is covered with aquatic vegetation such as common club-rush Scirpus lacustris, common reed Phragmites australis and bulrush Typha latifolia. Beside these species, bushes and trees can be found on the edges of the marsh. Among these are willows Salix spp., black poplar Populus nigra and common alder Alnus glutinosa. A great diversity of animal species is found in this protected area, where they spend a part or all of their life-cycle. Bird species, the most visible fauna in this area, include the sedge warbler Acrocephalus shoenobaenus, Savi’s warbler Locustella luscinioides, great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus, marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus, little bittern Ixobrychus minutus, purple heron Ardea purpurea and various waterfowl species, which come here during winter. Also to be found here are the Iberian painted frog Discoglossus galganoi, European tree frog Hyla arborea, Schreiber’s green lizard Lacerta schreiberi, ocellated lizard Lacerta lepida and otter Lutra lutra.

Farming and fishing (using traditional fishing tools such as fish spears and the fish trap known as rabuda) are the main traditional activities in the Arzila marsh. The human presence, dating back to the Roman period, is represented mainly by religious buildings of the 18th century. The higher ground water level in the region has also had a strong influence on local craftsmanship, notably woven mats, made in simple weaving mills with the common club-rush Scirpus lacustris and Carex riparia.