Couple Rebuilds Abandoned Asturian Village, Faces Wind Farm Threat

Ana and Max have rebuilt an entire abandoned village in the Asturian mountains, turning ruins into a self-sufficient home. Their project, however, is now threatened by a proposed wind farm.

The project

Ana, a former miner, used her severance pay to buy the ruins of Teixidiello, a historic braña in Cudillero. After a car accident brought Max into her life, the couple spent years clearing brush and restoring stone houses. Today, the village has spring water, solar power, and internet. "If it's twenty-five degrees down there, we have twenty-two here, and in winter it's warmer because it doesn't freeze," Max explains Source: infobae.

The threat

A proposed wind farm with 224-meter turbines in the Sierra del Pomar alarms the couple. "They want to put monsters three times those there," Ana warns Source: infobae. Max adds, "They're going to dismantle everything. They intend to turn this into an industrial estate, which seems an aberration to me" Source: infobae.

Advice for newcomers

Max emphasizes respect for local customs: "It's not about arriving, buying a house and saying: 'This is mine.' You have to respect the neighbors and their customs" Source: abces. He advises, "Adapt, don't impose yourself or create conflicts. Talk to the neighbors, and adapt to them, not them to you" Source: abces.

What's next

The couple hopes to rent out houses long-term but needs the local council to improve a 200-meter access road. "If access isn't good, people won't be encouraged," Max laments Source: abces.