Dutch couple’s €350k abandoned village now buzzing with life.
Romanesque church of Barcena de Bureba. Abandoned town of Burgos, in Castilla y Leon, Spain.
Credit: Shutterstock, David Paniagua
A derelict Spanish village, complete with houses and a Romanesque church, was snapped up by a Dutch couple for just €350,000, and now it’s gearing up for a fresh start as two new families join the adventure.
From ghost town to green haven
It’s been over a year since Dutch couple Maaike Geurts and Tibor Strausz took on the ambitious task of reviving Bárcena de Bureba, a forgotten village in Burgos abandoned for more than 40 years. Left in ruins, the village had been ravaged by time and looters, leaving no water, electricity, or hope in sight. But the couple had other ideas.
Their vision? An eco-village where sustainability meets community. Solar panels now light up the stone houses, and a system purifies river water to make it drinkable. Paulownia trees, famed for their speedy growth and ability to rejuvenate soil, are being planted, potentially turning into a renewable wood supply for the project. Talk about turning over a new leaf!
New neighbours, new beginnings
At a recent gathering in Amsterdam, Maaike and Tibor’s dream got a big boost. Four families attended their pitch, with two confirming they’ll move to the village in 2025. The couple’s dream of an eco-community is starting to take shape, with new faces ready to bring life back to the village.
And it doesn’t stop there. They’re still on the lookout for volunteers to lend a hand or even make the village their permanent home. Fancy swapping city smog for rural charm?
Poetry and progress
Bárcena de Bureba isn’t just about sustainability; it’s becoming a cultural hotspot too. In September, the village hosted a poetry festival that drew hundreds of visitors. From crumbling ruins to a thriving social hub, this Burgos beauty is getting a second wind.
With backing from a Dutch university and the support of their soon-to-be neighbours, Maaike and Tibor are proving that dreams of regeneration can come true. For them, this isn’t just a fixer-upper project or a business; it’s a chance to build a future, one stone and one tree at a time.
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