The Most Incredible Abandoned Villages in Spain

Spain is full of beautiful towns inhabited by hundreds of happy people, but also by small municipalities that, over time, war, or nature, have been left to fend for themselves. Countless sites have completely lost their populations, resulting in solitary and destroyed buildings looking for someone to inhabit them again. Many of them have become tourist centers visited by thousands of people each year, but no one decides to repopulate them.

A spectacular village that welcomes visitors with the song of Natalio Baquero etched in the plaster of the church, "Old village of Belchite, no longer the youngsters roam you, the jotas sung by our parents will no longer be heard." This is indeed Belchite Old, a living image of the devastation caused by the Civil War in the country, which turned this village into the most famous abandoned municipality in Spain. Legends say that its streets are enchanted and inhabited by the ghosts of those who once lived there. So great is its fame that countless brave souls have journeyed there for guided tours to uncover its mysteries.

This beautiful village in Tarragona lost its inhabitants during the Battle of Ebro in 1938, being another affected by a Civil War that left the houses empty and the streets deserted. Despite the decay of its buildings after abandonment, today emblematic and beautiful structures like the Church of San Pedro can be visited. Additionally, due to its fascinating abandoned landscape, Corbera de Ebro was declared a Cultural Interest Property in an effort to preserve its charms.

Os Teixois is a clear example that wanting is power. This Asturian village was abandoned years ago, and little by little nature was taking over, but instead of giving it up for lost, it was rehabilitated to maintain its essence. In an effort to promote tourism and the local culture, the buildings were restored and turned into a museum and a restaurant serving typical Asturian food, attracting thousands of visitors each year who are fascinated by its charms.

With the decline of its main economic activity in 1975, this small mining village in La Rioja began losing its inhabitants, who left in search of work. Turruncún remains standing just as it was after the mass abandonment, even an unused school that never taught any students. This spectacular municipality holds a mystery within its church, human remains scattered on the ground that give rise to many terrifying tales about this abandoned place.

At first glance, it may seem like a floating village built over the water of a reservoir, but nothing could be further from the truth. Aceredo was submerged in 1992 on the border between Spain and Portugal due to the Portuguese decision to refill the reservoir it was built upon. This Galician village was forcibly abandoned and began a new life underwater with fish as its inhabitants. Years later, the use of this dam ceased, and gradually the remnants of what once was a lively place began to surface, stranded in puddles that refuse to disappear.

Another village forcibly abandoned due to the threat of flooding. In the mid-20th century, the area in Cáceres where it is located was declared prone to flooding, and all its inhabitants had to leave their homes and seek a new life elsewhere. Nevertheless, the water that threatened the village's sinking never arrived, and its great wall and historical buildings remain intact and solitary by the shores of the Gabriel y Galán reservoir. So great is the beauty of Granadilla's landscape and history that it was declared a Historic Artistic Site in 1980, and four years later, it entered the Interministerial Program of Abandoned Villages.

This village located in the Priorat region of Tarragona was built on an ancient Roman road that connected the area to Vic, and the ruins of its buildings date back to 1720. The limited communication with other villages in Tarragona led the residents of Gallicant to gradually abandon the area, making it one of the oldest villages in the region. However, architectural features like the Siurana reservoir draw thousands of travelers to its lonely streets to enjoy a walk in touch with nature. The beauty of its landscapes and the remnants of its buildings is undeniable; unfortunately, what makes them special is what made them desolate. Abandonment and desolation roam the streets of these villages that today rely on the tourism of those who decide to visit the ruins of what was once a lively place. Schools that never held classes, churches that never hosted masses, and town halls that never governed anything - this is the sad panorama of many villages in our country. Nevertheless, traveling to them to admire their beauty and history is a great way to help them rise again while we enjoy a film-like landscape.