La Serena Reservoir

La Serena is a water reservoir on the Zújar River in Badajoz Province that holds back a vast expanse of water behind a tall concrete wall. The surface spreads across the dry landscape, creating a long and narrow body of water framed by bare hillsides.

The Spanish government built the reservoir between 1985 and 1989 to secure water for irrigating dry farmland in the region. The royal family opened the facility in February 1990, marking the start of a new chapter for agriculture in the area.

The reservoir's creation transformed the previously dry region into an inland sea, reshaping the landscape of the Siberia district with its freshwater coastline.

The dam itself is not open to visitors, but walks along the shore offer wide views across the water. Reaching the area works best by car, as public transport in the surrounding countryside is limited.

The concrete structure rises 91 meters (299 feet) and extends 580 meters (1,903 feet) across, taming the Zújar, a river known for wildly changing water levels. Today the reservoir also feeds a power station that generates electricity for the surrounding towns.