About Ruidera

Come and enjoy this hidden oasis in Castilla La Mancha, experience the uniqueness of this most beautiful Natural Park, a series of natural lagoons carved out over thousands of years, the most amazing colour of the water has to be seen to be believed. A variety of outdoor activities are available. Allow us to help you experience Las Laguna De Ruidera.

Ruidera is a small village in the province of Ciudad Real found on the main road N-430 between Ciudad Real and Albacete. With approximately 600 inhabitants it is a quaint and peaceful village most of the year with more visitors during the summer months taking advantage of the many activities available or simply enjoying the cool waters during the summer heat. A series of 14 natural lagoons carved out over centuries, I came across this oasis about 10 years ago and have been coming back ever since, so taken were we with this tranquil and unspoiled natural Park that my wife and I decided to move here with our children, and I think that it is the best thing that I have ever done.

History

Not know to many outside the immediate area Ruidera has a lot to offer. Apart from being steeped in history with Roman garrisons camped on the shores of these lagoons, an area considered special by the most well traveled Army of its time. A major stopping point between Rome and Cadiz and Merida and Zaragoza.

Information on this area goes back a long way with evidence of habitation in the Iron Age, closer inspection reveals structures dating around 1,800 B.C. known as Las Motillas.

The actual Name of Ruidera appears for the first time in the middle ages as the Ruidera del Guadiana, which could explain its name, Ruidera taken from the verb Ruido or in English Noise, caused by the many waterfalls between the lagoons.

However in an atlas produced in the XVI century by Felipe II the town appears as Riadera which could also make reference to the flooding waters.

Ruidera belonged to the order of Santiago (James) until the foundation of Sitio de Ruidera in 1783 when the Lagoon La Colgada, Rey, Morenilla and part of La Coadilla which had been in the hands of the order of Santiago for 550 years were transferred to the order of San Juan de Jerusalem (St. John).

Ruidera remained part of the order of San Juan until 21st September 1990 when the regional government of Castilla la Mancha accorded its independence.

The lagoons today are divided with the lower lagoons (below the Town) being La Morenilla, La Coladilla and the Cenegosa the waters of which then flow through two streams until they reach the damned waters of Lake Peñarroya.

The upper lagoons consist of: El Rey, La Colgada, La Batana, Santo Morcillo, Salvadora, La Lengua, Redondilla, San Pedra, Tinaja, Tomilla, Conceja and finally La Blanca.