Parque Regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre, Castile and León, Spain
Deep in the Cantabrian Mountain range in Spain’s far north are the Leónese Fjords. The area resembles the landscapes of Norway or Chilean Patagonia, with valleys full of water lapping against steep mountain edges. But its beauty belies a tragic and controversial past: in the 1980s, the Esla river valley was flooded by the Spanish government to create a reservoir, forever submerging nine historic villages and displacing their inhabitants, against their will. The profound sense of loss and anger remains to this day and the new settlement of Riaño has a sterile and soulless atmosphere, despite its incredible scenery. The view from atop Pico Gilbo (1679m), seen here, is a breathtaking yet bittersweet symphony of nature forged amidst the tragedy of the lost labours of generations of villagers. What price beauty and the greater good?
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