It has been uninhabited for more than 60 years: the abandoned village in Aragon with a natural spa

The construction of the Yesa reservoir was a historic event that marked the before and after of the geographical situation of many towns in the province of Zaragoza, causing some to have to be abandoned. Such was the case of Ruesta, which after having enjoyed a privileged strategic position in the mountains for centuries, the diversions and flooding of the reservoir caused the municipality to be flooded and left at the mercy of time, 
completely uninhabited.

This situation was similar for the protagonist of this article, the municipality of Tiermas, belonging to the Zaragoza region of Jacetania and bordering the border of Navarra and Aragon, where around 1,500 residents had to abandon their homes after they were submerged under the water of the Pyrenean Sea.

However, the legacy of Tiermas is not forgotten and during the final months of the year, from October to December, you can visit the old town when the water level of the reservoir drops to discover all the heritage it has among its ruins. Among them, the remains of its old spa and the natural “ pools ” born from the floods and converted into the main tourist attraction of Tiermas stand out.

For this reason, in this article we tell you the history of Tiermas, as well as everything you need to know about its spa.

TIERMAS, A VILLAGE ABANDONED DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RESERVOIR

As we have mentioned before, the municipality of Tiermas was abandoned after the devastating effects caused by the construction of the Yesa reservoir. Although many people were and continue to be against this urban planning decision, the truth is that the Yesa reservoir was planned as a way of supplying the areas of southern Navarre and the Comarca de las Cinco Villas, which in the 1960s were experiencing water shortages.

One of the buildings in Tiermas affected by the flood was, precisely, its old Roman spa, known for its waters of sulphur, saltpetre and alum, which were used to treat various ailments. The spa was consolidated in the 19th century, when the facilities were improved with the construction of a building with 52 rooms and a gallery of baths. This complex was completed by the Infanta Isabel hotel, built from scratch in 1910.

However, a fire in the 1940s would destroy the hotel building and cease its activity. Likewise, the flooding of the reservoir would complete this fateful framework by destroying the old spa in 1959. Despite this, its “death” also gave birth to a new natural spa among its ruins, which has become increasingly popular over the last decades to become the greatest tourist attraction in Tiermas.

WHAT IS THE TIERMAS NATURAL SPA LIKE?

The Tiermas spa is a truly exclusive natural attraction, as it can only be accessed when the waters of the reservoir drop sufficiently, a period that can last a few days, a few weeks or, if you are very lucky, even a few months in the event of no rain.

The water flows naturally from different points, which has led to the creation of different springs that emerge with temperatures ranging from 40 degrees. Over time, the inhabitants of the area have created several shallow “ponds” to bathe in their different “pools”, which vary in temperature and water clarity.

The first pool, which is also the largest, is the point with the highest temperature, thanks to which small bubbles can be perceived and the waters become crystal clear. This natural treasure gives way to the rest of the pools, which together form a route that passes between the ruins of the old hotel and the old Tiermas spa.

In fact, at the back of the old spa, there are two other springs with a lower flow rate. One of them has a jet at a height of one metre that allows bathers to completely relax their bodies in this therapy with water declared of public utility. In fact, the properties of the spa water are recognised throughout the region, which allowed this water to be classified as mineral-medicinal and thermal water in 1991.

As one approaches the end of the route, one can see that the flow of these two springs flows into a ravine covered in mud that acts as a place for taking mud baths. Finally, the raft route ends in the waters of the reservoir and, despite the limited enjoyment of the natural spa of Tiermas, locals and other bathers try to take full advantage of the benefits of its waters.

THE CHURCH OF SAN MIGUEL

In addition to the attraction of the Tiermas spa, the legacy of this Zaragoza municipality is also reflected in the remains of the church of San Miguel, whose roof and dome collapsed a few years ago.

The church of San Miguel was an old Gothic building from the 14th century, later renovated to Baroque in the 18th century, with a Latin cross plan and a single nave, which can still be accessed through a portico with a Gothic doorway. In what remains of the interior, remains of frescoes and paintings can be seen, which are surrounded by vegetation. The final touch is provided by its large bell tower, with a square plan and three bodies in height.

Despite having been named a Site of Cultural Interest, the remains of San Miguel appear on the Red List of the Hispania Nostra Association. In other words, the church is at risk of disappearing due to the deterioration of its materials.

HOW TO GET TO TIERMAS

If the Tiermas spa and its historical legacy have captured your attention and you plan to travel to the town in the near future, we recommend the routes and travel options that you can take from the three main cities in Aragon.

It should be noted that, given the geographical location of the town, the most accessible method of getting there from the three cities is by car; and it is the vehicle we will use as a reference for these routes.

From Zaragoza

From the Aragonese capital, you can follow the AP-68 to Sos del Rey Católico and then take a detour along the AP-15 to reach the town in approximately two hours and ten minutes.

From Huesca

In the case of the city of Huesca, you can follow the fastest route to Tiermas via the A-132 to reach the town in approximately one hour and forty minutes.

From Teruel

Finally, in the case of the capital of Teruel, its distance from Tiermas is the most exhaustive route. You will have to follow the A-222 to reach the municipality after approximately three and a half hours.

Throughout its history, Tiermas is a living testimony to the resilience and beauty that emerges even in the most adverse circumstances. Life and death are intertwined in a seemingly endless cycle, and after a death, new life is born, as Tiermas makes clear. Between the ruins of its old spa, and the natural pools that emerged later, the soul of the municipality continues to beat, inviting us to keep its legacy in our memories.