WANTED: New Owner For Deserted Spanish Village

The prospect of owning a property in Spain is a dream for many and a reality for some, but how about owning an entire village? Salto de Castro, a picturesque settlement nestled in north-western Spain, might just be your answer.

Located near the Portuguese border, Salto de Castro was initially listed on the property site Idealista a year ago for €260,000. It was then bought by Oscar Torres for €300,000. However, following an architectural revamp and some local bureaucratic hurdles, the village is back on the market. This time, the price tag has doubled to  €580,000, according to Portugal News.

Salto De Castro’s Rich History

Constructed in the 1950s by the electric company Iberduero, now Iberdrola, Salto de Castro was meant to accommodate families of workers. These workers were tasked with building a reservoir next to the village. However, once the project concluded, the residents began to depart. By the 1980s, the village stood deserted.

Prior to its current owner, a family initially acquired the village from Iberdrola in the early 2000s. Their vision was to transform Salto de Castro into a tourist haven. Unfortunately, the 2008 financial crisis thwarted their ambitions, leaving the village’s considerable potential unrealised.

What’s On Offer?

The village boasts 44 houses, with five of them detached. Prospective buyers will also find a bar, church, and school with multiple classrooms. There’s a guesthouse, approved for 14 rooms, and potential for 184 rural tourism spots. There is even a  Guardia Civil barracks, a swimming pool, and sports facilities, which all add to the village’s charm. And with a reservoir nearby, there’s an opportunity for aquatic tourism.

Romuald Rodriguez, representing the current owner through Royal Invest, shared with Idealista, ‘For now, we have received offers from Saudi Arabia and the United States (specifically from a group in Miami)’. He further mentioned that bids reached up to €600,000, making the price hike ‘more than logical’.

A New Beginning Awaits

The chance to own an entire village sounds too good to be true, the lucky owner could let their imagination run riot and tailor it to their own specific tastes and preferences, including who gets to live there.

Any interested parties who fancy their own personal village can find Salto de Castro listed on Idealista. Whether it becomes a tourist hotspot or a serene retreat, only time will tell.