Back to the Land


In the summer of 2022, I jumped in a car with Monocle’s European editor-at-large Ed Stocker, to venture into the vast swathes of Spain that for decades have been experiencing depopulation. Over 5 days, we moved from pueblo to pueblo to meet the people attempting to buck this trend and reimagine the potential of rural Spain.

Back to the Land

An exploration of 'España Vaciada' (Empty Spain), and the people battling against rural depopulation. Photographed for Monocle Magazine.