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All Spain Sigüés Abandoned Village of Esco

Abandoned Village of Esco

A Franco-era dam flooded (almost) everyone out of this centuries-old Aragonese town.

Sigüés, Spain

Added By
Stanislav Rogozhin
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Village as seen from the road   theptyza / Atlas Obscura User
Village as seen from the road   theptyza / Atlas Obscura User
A ruined village street   theptyza / Atlas Obscura User
Church interior   theptyza / Atlas Obscura User
Church staircase   theptyza / Atlas Obscura User
On top of the belltower   theptyza / Atlas Obscura User
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About

While the village of Esco dates officially back to at least the 12th century, archaeological evidence suggest the land around the village has been inhabited more or less continually since the Bronze Age. Witnessing the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, conquest by the Vandals and the Moors, the unification of the Spain, and the proxy war that presaged World War II, Esco was ultimately abandoned due to an act of civil engineering.

Built in 1959, the Yesa Dam was constructed to create a supply of irrigation and drinking water for the surrounding area. The resulting reservoir flooded the farmlands of Esco (as well as the nearby towns of Ruesta and Tiermas), leaving the inhabitants with poor prospects for the future. As a result, the village was abandoned in 1960.

However, unlike Ruesta and Tiermas, Esco was not completely abandoned; today, four people still live in Esco, keeping flocks of sheep in the grazing lands that are still accessible above the town. They make their homes among the town's three streets and 60 houses that continue to decay and collapse into ruin.

Additionally, the village church of San Miguel still stands. The building is late Romanesque/early Gothic, dating probably to 12th-13th centuries. Only a part of the church's roof is collapsed; it is otherwise in sound condition, with a sturdy stone staircase leading to the top of the bell tower.

Related Tags

Ghost Towns Ruins Abandoned Abandoned Churches

Know Before You Go

The village can be clearly seen from the N240. Road is blocked, so only accessible on foot.

Community Contributors

Added By

theptyza

Edited By

RHyzer

  • RHyzer

Published

August 12, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.ibtimes.com/travel-esco-abandoned-village-spain-photos-709810
  • https://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/luislopezcortijo/7506/esco-one-of-the-last-inhabited-villages-in-spain.aspx
  • http://www.garasplitboards.com/blog/abandoned-spanish-village-is-called-esco,19.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esc%C3%B3
Abandoned Village of Esco
N-240
Sigüés
Spain
42.618661, -1.058314
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