A few kilometers from the small town of Boca de Huérgano (where I stayed most of the time) we found the pretty town of Riaño, located in the Regional Park of the Mountain of Riaño and Mampodre (120,720 hectares), all this within the Picos de Europa National Park (extending to three provinces and being not only a national natural park but also the largest limestone formation in Atlantic Europe with important karstic processes, chasms over 1,000 meters and very evident glacial erosion).
This charming town located 95 kilometers from the capital of Leon and with only 471 inhabitants, houses a lot of history and has neighborhood records dating back to the year 1752.
To begin with its interesting history, both the old town of Riaño and eight other towns lie submerged under the waters of the Esla and Yuso rivers, under the current Riaño reservoir you can see all along.
Some of the inhabitants more anchored to the past and history of their village decided to commit suicide before being forced to leave their homes; some shot themselves in the head and others simply stayed inside their houses as the valley flooded.
The events had such transcendence in the 80s, that the Spanish Army had to occupy the area for months and the news from the whole world echoed what was happening in this village.
Of the historical and artistic heritage of the place we can highlight one of the granaries that they saved from the flood and the also recovered Romanesque hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, from the 13th century.
Next to the hermitage we have, possibly, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Spain: "The most beautiful bench in León", with the Gilbo and Yordas peaks in front of it.
YouTube Short from "The most beautiful bench in León" viewpoint:
https://youtube.com/shorts/UFhHeVq_Jis?feature=share
On the southern slope of the town we have a 900-meter promenade that runs along a section of the reservoir, called "The memory lane", because along its route you will find explanatory panels on the history and past of this town.
YouTube Shorts walking along "The memory lane" and eating wild cherries:
https://youtube.com/shorts/d8BUhzholw0?feature=share
https://youtube.com/shorts/tKYk9os78wc?feature=share
Don't Forget: Get Travel Health Insurance!
To make your trip a worry-free experience, TravelFeed recommends SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. It provides comprehensive health coverage while you travel, so you can focus on exploring, not the unexpected. Get a quote here
https://youtube.com/shorts/F3PVUM1Mles?feature=share
Photographs taken with my Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G camera.
YouTube shorts recorded with my Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G camera
Sources on which I relied to give some accurate info about Riaño town, its history and surroundings: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5)
Travel Resources for your trip to Spain
Recommended by TravelFeed
Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to Spain.
Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in Spain on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.
Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.
Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.
Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!
Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.
Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to Spain. Chat now.
Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.
