Embalse del Aguascebas, Reservoir in the province of Jaén, Spain
Embalse del Aguascebas is a reservoir in the Sierra de las Villas near Villacarrillo in Jaén province, surrounded by wild plants and trees that grow down to the water's edge. The water covers about 24 hectares and stands out for its clarity, creating mirror-like reflections of the surrounding mountains and vegetation.
The reservoir was built on the Aguascebas de la Fuente del Tajo and Aguascebas de Chorro Gil streams, within the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. Its construction forced twenty inhabitants to be relocated, and three homes were left beneath the water. The sources do not record the construction dates or the dam material.
The name comes from the Aguascebas river that has shaped the region for generations. Locals use the area mainly for leisure activities like hiking and fishing, making it an important gathering place for those seeking to escape urban life.
The site is accessible by car about 30 kilometers uphill from Villacarrillo, with winding roads offering scenic views along the way. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and a camera, stay on marked paths, and follow the rules of the protected natural area.
The reservoir's construction displaced twenty residents, and three houses were left submerged beneath the water. The surrounding limestone and marl landscape produces lapiaces and tufa formations, with waterfalls forming where the streams drop over the rock.
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