Riano, Castilla y León, was a valley of nine villages that thrived on farming before the area was flooded for a reserviour in 1987. The construction of the reservoir changed everything. The residents were forced to leave their homes and relocate to the valley, which became known as Nuevo Riaño [New Riaño], moving, stone by stone, the most distinctive buildings from the nine affected villages.

Ermita de Nuestra Señora, was one of those buildings that was moved and rebuilt. There is also monument El silencio de las campanas, that houses the bells from each church that was flooded.

The building of the reservoir caused a great public outcry and protest, but the government had the final say. The story is sad and this is not the only area in Spain that this as occured. Read more https://fascinatingspain.com/place-to-visit/what-to-see-in-castile-and-leon/what-to-see-in-leon/riano-huge-beauty-reborn-ashes/

The village is located in the Parque Regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre, Leon on the edge of the Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa. It’s a beautiful area. We did plan on doing a boat tour but the weather was rainy and gray still and unpredictable so decided against i