El Villar Reservoir, embalse en el río Lozoya, península ibérica
El Villar is a reservoir in the Community of Madrid that stores water from the Lozoya River. The dam is built from stone, over 50 feet (15 meters) high and more than 330 feet (100 meters) long, with a control tower at its center and overflow structures to manage excess water during heavy rains.
The structure was completed in 1882 and was Spain's tallest dam at the time. It showcased innovative engineering techniques of its era and became essential for Madrid's water supply beginning in the late 1800s.
The reservoir shapes daily life in the surrounding rural communities and serves as a gathering place for people seeking time in nature. The layout of the site shows how people and water have been deeply connected here for over a century.
The site is easy to reach by car and has parking nearby. From there, visitors can walk to the water's edge in a few minutes and use the simple walking paths that circle the reservoir.
A small hydroelectric plant was added in 1994 and generates power using the stored water. This addition shows how the structure has adapted to new needs over the decades.
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