{"id":10502,"date":"2025-09-22T17:14:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T17:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goiberia.com\/?p=10502"},"modified":"2025-09-22T17:36:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T17:36:03","slug":"najwieksza-hustawka-w-hiszpanii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goiberia.com\/en\/najwieksza-hustawka-w-hiszpanii\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain\u2019s Biggest Swing!"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the province of Le\u00f3n, close to the little town of Ria\u00f1o, there\u2019s\u2026 the biggest swing in Spain. It\u2019s set at 1200 meters above sea level, on the viewpoint Mirador de Las Hazas, right next to Le\u00f3n\u2019s most famous (and maybe most photogenic!) bench, with amazing views of the lake and mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, we were more excited to see Ria\u00f1o itself, and the swing was a lovely surprise, it was literally just a few steps from our campsite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Riano,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We only planned to stay one night at the campsite, although many others were staying longer, enjoying vacations by the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This place really has something special... and it\u2019s not just about the views, it\u2019s the whole atmosphere <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A forgotten story still echoing beneath the surface<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Although Ria\u00f1o amazes now with its views and peacefulness, its history is full of challenges and controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work to build the reservoir began back in the 1960s, but it wasn\u2019t until early 1988 that the project really started working. The official goal was to irrigate 80,000 hectares, but over time, it turned out that number was greatly exaggerated. According to more recent studies by the Water Authority, the land that can actually be irrigated is no more than 32,000 hectares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Riano,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also a hydroelectric plant at the dam, but its electricity output is quite small compared to what was once imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest cost of all this was paid by the people. Whole villages were submerged: Anciles, \u00c9scaro, Huelde, La Puerta, Pedrosa, Ria\u00f1o, and Sali\u00f3, and parts of Bur\u00f3n and Vegacerneja too. These were not just locations on a map, homes, schools, churches, and entire communities had to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Riano\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The valley\u2019s flooding sparked dramatic protests from locals, which echoed across Spain. The authorities built a new Ria\u00f1o, and families that were relocated received compensation, land, and money. But, as is often the case, money couldn\u2019t erase the sense of loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Today, when you look at the calm surface of the lake, it\u2019s hard to believe there\u2019s so much history underneath. Sometimes, when water levels are low, you can still see the ruins of submerged villages, as though the \u201creal\u201d Ria\u00f1o is still there\u2026 just hidden.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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A short walk above the campsite\u2019s fence and you\u2019re at the swing with views over Parque Regional Monta\u00f1a de Ria\u00f1o y Mampodre. The sharp, wild peaks surrounding the reservoir are striking, majestic, untouched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunrise swinging was pure joy. For a moment I felt like a kid again, legs swinging in the air, pretending to kick clouds\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Useful Info<\/h3>\n\n\n\n