Aldea somerxida de Aceredo

Aceredo, also referred to as Aldea somerxida de Aceredo, is an abandoned village in the municipality of Lobios, in the province of Ourense, Galicia, close to the Portuguese border. It has become known internationally as a "Spanish Atlantis" - a settlement swallowed by a reservoir that, during severe droughts, resurfaces almost intact.

Why did the village end up underwater?

Aceredo disappeared beneath the surface in 1992, when the Alto Lindoso dam and reservoir were brought into operation on the Limia river, which flows through both Spain and Portugal. The decision to build the dam actually dates back to 1968, agreed between the two countries' governments during the Franco and Salazar era. The project was carried out by the Portuguese side: on January 8, 1992, the energy company EDP closed the dam's gates and the reservoir began to fill. The rising water submerged not only Aceredo but also several smaller nearby settlements, including A Reloeira, Buscalque, O Bao and Lantemil. Aceredo was the largest of them. The only structure saved from the flood was the local church, which was dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt elsewhere before the valley disappeared underwater.

When and why does the village reappear?

The water level of the Alto Lindoso reservoir shifts with rainfall and with how much water is drawn off for power generation. When drought is severe enough that the level drops below roughly 15 percent of capacity, the old village bed is exposed and the settlement becomes visible almost in its entirety. This happened most dramatically in 2021-2022, when photos and reports of an almost fully exposed Aceredo circulated in media around the world. The past decade has brought more dry spells than before, so the phenomenon has become more frequent, with the village now drawing visitors in many summers.

What is there to see on site?

When water levels allow access, visitors walk across the cracked, dried-out floor of the former reservoir bed. The outlines of streets, house foundations and stone ruins remain visible, along with old metal remnants - including rusted vehicles - and dead trees still standing in the muddy ground. Some accounts even mention bottles that survived decades underwater on the counter of the old village bar. The scene is stark and striking precisely because of that contrast: an ordinary rural settlement, frozen in time on the bed of an artificial lake.

How do you get there and what should you know before visiting?

The starting point is Lobios, the municipal seat, roughly 8 kilometers from the ruins. When the water level is low enough, the site of the old village can be reached on foot, walking directly across the dried reservoir bed. There is no entry fee, no fixed opening hours and no mandatory guide - it is open terrain, freely accessible whenever conditions allow. It is worth remembering, though, that visibility depends entirely on the water level: during periods when the reservoir is filling, only rooftops may be visible, or nothing at all, so it is worth checking the current reservoir level before planning a trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aceredo always visible? No. The village only emerges when the water level of the Alto Lindoso reservoir drops significantly, usually during prolonged droughts.

When is the best time to see the submerged village? Dry summers and autumns, when water consumption outpaces rainfall, offer the best chance of a full view - as happened in 2021-2022.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the site is freely accessible, with no tickets and no set visiting hours.

What remains of the old village besides the house ruins? Along with house foundations and walls, traces of the old streets, old vehicles and dead trees are visible; the village church was relocated before the flooding and is not underwater.