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Given that Ardbol's primary focus revolves around establishing a food forest, our initial and foremost priority entails securing an ample expanse of land. However, due to the restrictions imposed on constructing residential structures upon agricultural land, we also recognized the need for a number of dwellings. Thus, we embarked on a quest to locate an abandoned village surrounded by available land.

This village, known as Bárcena de Bureba, has remained uninhabited since 1980. Comprising 75 houses, or more aptly described as ruins, none of these structures are currently habitable or even boast intact roofs. In fact, many exist solely on paper, their physical structures having withered away over time. Additionally, a dilapidated church stands as a testament to the village's historical past. Of the total 75 houses, 65 have become integral to the Ardbol project.

Encompassing the village is approximately 6 hectares of agricultural land, the majority of which is surrounded by unused non-agricultural land. This configuration bodes well for the establishment of a food forest, providing ample space and resources for the endeavor.


The land's current utilization is primarily directed towards the cultivation of grain and sunflowers. Notably, a river courses net to the village, ensuring a steady water supply throughout the year. The project has acquired the requisite permissions to harness water from this river. Moreover, seasonal watercourses known as "aroyas" intersect the lands, flowing during the winter and spring months.

The surrounding vicinity and interspersed spaces between the lands are host to a diverse array of vegetation, including mulberry trees, apple orchards, plum trees, and nut-bearing trees. This thriving botanical landscape underscores the feasibility of cultivating a forest. The terrain is undulating, characterized by clay and limestone compositions, with rocky hills punctuating the spaces between the lands.

Situated at an elevation of 700 meters above sea level, the climate at Bárcena de Bureba is temperate. Winters can be notably chilly, while the summers offer moderate temperatures without excessive heat.

To the west of the village lies a mine that extracts lime and magnesium. This mining operation involves the removal of the upper soil layers, extraction of white lime, and subsequent replacement of the soil. Notably, the mine's trajectory began adjacent to the village and is progressively moving away from it, leaving its mark on the landscape.



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