Across Spain, villages once submerged to create reservoirs are emerging as haunting reminders of the past. Flooded during the 20th century to meet the growing demands for water and energy, these villages were sacrificed, forcing residents to leave behind their homes and lands.
During periods of drought, when reservoir levels drop dramatically, the ruins of these villages reappear, offering a glimpse into a forgotten history.
These drowned villages, with their eerie beauty and poignant stories, draw visitors intrigued by their unique landscapes and the human stories of loss and resilience. Here are five notable examples of villages that resurface depending on water conditions, as highlighted by Infobae.
1. Mansilla de la Sierra, La Rioja
Flooded in 1959 by the creation of the Mansilla reservoir, this village in the Najerilla Valley was abandoned when its residents relocated to a nearby settlement. Normally submerged, Mansilla de la Sierra reveals its secrets during droughts, including the remains of its church, medieval bridge, and several homes.
The bridge, once a vital link across the river, is a particular draw for visitors, alongside remnants of streets and buildings that seem frozen in time. Descendants of the displaced residents often return to reconnect with their roots, adding a personal layer to this desolate yet evocative landscape.
2. Aceredo, Ourense
Aceredo, in Galicia’s Lobios region, was submerged in 1992 when the Alto Lindoso reservoir, managed by Portugal, flooded several villages along the Spanish-Portuguese border. Recent droughts have uncovered the village, allowing visitors to walk among its crumbling houses, wells, and streets, many of which remain remarkably intact.
Traces of daily life, such as faded wall paint and scattered kitchen utensils, add to the haunting atmosphere. Aceredo has garnered significant media and tourist attention, serving as a poignant symbol of the displacement caused by large-scale water infrastructure projects.
3. Mediano, Huesca
Located in the Aragonese Pyrenees, Mediano was submerged in 1969 to create the Mediano reservoir. While most of the village remains underwater, the Romanesque church’s bell tower often rises above the surface, a stark and lonely monument to the past.
During extended dry periods, remnants of houses, streets, and walls emerge, attracting hikers and photographers. The juxtaposition of the church tower against the expansive water landscape creates a melancholic yet striking visual, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
4. Sant Romà de Sau, Barcelona
In Catalonia’s Osona region, the village of Sant Romà de Sau was lost to the Sau reservoir in the 1960s. Its Romanesque church, complete with a bell tower, has become an iconic image of submerged Spanish villages.
When water levels recede during drought, the ruins of the town centre are exposed, drawing tourists and historians alike. Visitors can explore the submerged ruins, which stand as a testament to the dramatic changes wrought by hydraulic infrastructure on rural communities.
5. La Muedra, Soria
La Muedra, located in Soria, was one of the first villages in Spain to be submerged, following the creation of the Cuerda del Pozo reservoir in 1941. The village, once nestled along the Duero River, included a church, a cemetery, and numerous houses—all now underwater.
In times of drought, the water recedes enough to reveal the remains of these structures. The church ruins, in particular, are a major attraction, standing as a sombre reminder of the sacrifices made for large-scale engineering projects. Visitors are drawn to La Muedra’s mix of history, memory, and natural beauty, which combine to create a uniquely moving experience.
A landscape of loss and memory
These drowned villages, scattered across Spain, tell powerful stories of resilience and uprooting. They are a vivid reminder of the human cost of progress, with entire communities displaced to enable the country’s modernisation.
Now, as changing water levels bring their ruins back to the surface, they offer both a glimpse into history and an opportunity for reflection. Visitors to these sites experience not only the beauty of their surroundings but also the poignant legacies of lives and homes lost to the rising waters.