The village of Aceredo, in Galicia, Spain on 22 November 2021, after it emerged from years of being underwater. Aceredo was one of five villages that were inundated when the Lindoso Reservoir was built in 1992. Record drought in Spain reduced the reservoir’s water to its lowest level since it was filled. Photo: Miguel Riopa / AFP
The village of Aceredo, in Galicia, Spain on 22 November 2021, after it emerged from years of being underwater. Aceredo was one of five villages that were inundated when the Lindoso Reservoir was built in 1992. Record drought in Spain reduced the reservoir’s water to its lowest level since it was filled. Photo: Miguel Riopa / AFP

2 December 2021 (Love Exploring) – We’re used to reports that climate change will soon plunge the world’s beloved landmarks underwater. But this curious Spanish village has an opposite story: once engulfed by water, it recently re-emerged due to extremely low rainfall. Read on to discover the fascinating tale – plus see more amazing photos of places that were once hidden underwater.

In 1992, the village of Aceredo in northwestern Spain was submerged when a Portuguese hydroelectric plant closed its floodgates, creating the Lindoso Reservoir. Some of its 250 residents were given financial compensation to leave their homes, but others refused.

Many of them protested against the creation of the dam, occupying the town hall, and fighting eviction orders. Yet their efforts were unsuccessful, and the decision to flood Aceredo went ahead, forcing them to leave their homes. Four other villages in the area, A Reloeira, Buscalque, O Bao, and Lantemil, were also evacuated.

Bottles stand where they were left on a table when the village of Aceredo, in Galicia, Spain was inundated by the Lindoso Reservoir was filled in 1992, creating an eerie scene 22 November 2021. Photo: Miguel Riopa / AFP
Bottles stand where they were left on a table when the village of Aceredo, in Galicia, Spain was inundated by the Lindoso Reservoir was filled in 1992, creating an eerie scene 22 November 2021. Photo: Miguel Riopa / AFP

Although it’s been largely hidden for almost three decades, occasionally the reservoir dries up and some buildings are visible, which has happened recently in 2012 and 2017.

In November 2021, the reservoir plummeted to a new low level, not seen since it was first created. What emerged is a fascinating time capsule of partially-preserved, eerie looking buildings. [more]

Entire Ghostly Spanish Village Reappears after Lying Underwater for 30 Years