Whenever we think of unpopulated remote areas in Spain images of medieval run down villages and demolished castles come to mind. However, just outside of Madrid heading south we can find a very different scenario. Castilla-la-Mancha, a Spanish autonomous community that had to say goodbye to thousands of its inhabitants between 1950 and 1970 due to the mechanization of agricultural labor and many workers seeking a better life in the big cities.
The Landscape is changing fast due to the effect of renewable energies and the big structures necessary for them. La Mancha enjoys an average of 3000 hours of sunlight a year. With numbers like this getting back the investment of installing extensive amounts of solar panels can be done in under 6 years. Those who inherit agriculture intended fields now have the option of converting them into electricity generators selling the power of the sun directly to the national electric net.
Some towns such as Arenas de San Juan have lost up to 50% of their inhabitants since 1950. But the younger generations keep developing their taste in entertainment, introducing new practices or competitive leisure such as Drifting. In the midst of the big vineyards that cover a big part of the Manchego countryside these young maniacs behind the wheel have built a circuit that attracts some new life into this old settlement.
Nights at this improvised circuit come charged with good energy, as much safety as these aficionados can muster, some express mechanical master classes, many changes of tyres and plenty of screeching. For these pilots, most of them owners of scrapyards, this is a fun way of promoting themselves. Putting together the most powerful or noisy car attracts attention to their banners and proves that their knowledge of cars is good enough for the spectators as well should they need a change in their vehicles.
The town of Villafranca de los caballeros is right now inhabited by exactly the same number of people as it had in the year 1900. They steadily lose a high percentage of people born there. But still do what they can to attract immigration and keep the community going.
The Romero family had grown tired of life in the city after a period living in London and Madrid. After Covid struck they realized that family values are better kept in a bigger residence with clean air and terrain to exploit for example to grow their own vegetables.
The only son, Jesus, with his family of two and one more on the way, has bought a big yard where him and his parents will each build a custom made house that fits their expectations to raise the youngest. With access to school and high school in a radius of just 150 meters. With a small lake barely a kilometer away and 16 km away from the biggest town of the fellowship, inhabitants of this town feel closest to what matters most, even if that means being away from the great asphalt jungles.
