Please read and have fun,..

We learn from this that official numbers in Spain are not near the reality, we see effectively 25 – 40% discounts on average properties in the whole Costa del Sol comparing with the old 2007 prices, before the crisis. Some areas a bit more some a bit less.

It’s important to differentiate carefully these days with country properties. Quality of the houses, how was it built, insulation, heating, solar panels etc. matters.  We see huge difference in price with new and older houses. Also Location and the use of the land matters. When the location has to offer something special as Sea views, good country views, peace full, quiet, nature, river, and whether the land use useful for agriculture purpose or horses. Some areas are just more expensive because there are just only large Estates around, experience this in some places in Gaucin and Casares. Last but not least is the legality of the property. We have done all our checks to make sure that the properties we are selling are legal. There are huge problems with the Junta de Andalucia who is hunting like the old inquisition for illegal homes. This is a very political matter and we can only hope that this attitude will change positively and constructively for government and owners.

Oscar Ernstsen

Director Villas & Fincas

Baby boomers introduced in the 60ties new values for the western countries. They are reaching the peak of their earning and spending years, it isn’t surprising that they are looking for different angles of life and life styles? Not only the baby boomers but many other younger people understand there are new ways and new locations to organize their lives. Not so much material quality but more quality of living. This is a refreshing perspective of new trends for the next decade. It will sharpen the developers and Estate Agents but also the buyers themselves. It creates a mind shift and that keeps us young and fit. New horizons in business and living. New optimism in life styles and caring our property, land and eco systems we own. Especially the people who are interested in Country Properties know the value of their properties. Their fruit trees, vegetables, peace and rest of the surroundings are truly quality of life.

Is luxury and luxury living out? The answer is NO. The essence of luxury is an object or a service that is well made/well done. Again the governing concept of an item is that is of exceptional craftsmanship which implies its long lasting value. A great service implies that you will return for that great service over and over again because it is worth it. The very well to do populace is not the only ones who buy luxury. There are quite a few people who may buy an item because of its “superior quality or performance.” They understand that because it is a superior product, its longevity will make the purchase an economically sound decision. Luxury living implies as well where do you live and how is your house located. Living in Nature is always good and healthy as long as we are not completely isolated. We still spend our weekends, holidays and our short breaks on the beach, walks in the mountains, exploring the forests etc. People have their holidays in nature to balance their lives. So the areas where you can combine this all will be more valuable in the future. It depends on one’s understanding and appreciation of all the conditions that life has to offer in certain locations but generally properties in healthy and quiet locations will have a better future re-sale value.

We wish for you a very Happy New Year.

Ref. 186-00171P

Authentic 400 year old Hacienda, Cortijo, Farmhouse, Olive mill, near Carmona and Sevilla, Andalucia, with 6 Hectares of Land and with equestrian facilities. The hacienda comprises of 12 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, various reception rooms with fire places, kitchen, laundry room etc. The equestrian centre includes 25 horse boxes, an indoor arena 20 x 40 meters, several outside arenas, one of them 50 x 50 meters, tack room and various storage rooms. There is a spacious garden with fruit trees, swimming pool, and outdoor kitchen. The other buildings include an apartment for staff, a patio with 12 wooden horse boxes, a garage for 6 cars, and more storage rooms.

An original and well conserved authentic antique olive mill represents a special feature. This can be restored into more reception rooms. The hacienda has electricity and water supply from three own wells. The land has mainly old olive trees.
The historical Hacienda has been reformed several times since the last centuries. The current owners even found Roman coins; probably it was in the early days a Roman Villa. It is recognised by the town hall of Carmona that Don Miguel de Cervantes the ‘Tax man’ and writer of the famous story Don Quijote. The last and main restoration took probably place around 130 years ago.

The property is situated 200 meters from the main motorway Carmona Sevilla, 15 minutes from Sevilla and 8 minutes from the Roman and historical village Carmona.

Click for more information: http://www.villasfincas.com/english/property/ref/186-00171P/

6 bedrooms, 376 constructed, 61.298 m2 land

If you’re interested to buy a villa, apartment, townhouse on Spain’s Costa del Sol, or a country property in inland Andalucia, we assist you with your search.

We offer a personalised service with a wide portfolio of country properties for sale in areas as Jerez, Medina Sidonia, Sevilla, Ronda, Estepona, Marbella, Benahavis, Casares, Sotogrande and Gaucín, .

5 bedrooms, 1.034 m2 constructed, 11.000m2 land

La Zagaleta is located in Benahavis near Marbella.

Benahavis is a Spanish mountain village situated between Marbella, Estepona, and Ronda, where it is located seven kilometers from the coast. Renowned for its restaurants, it is often called the dining room of the Costa del Sol. Benahavis holds nine of the 60 golf courses in the Costa del Sol; this number is expected to increase, again, to fifteen in the next decade.

Located on the southern face of La Serrania de Ronda mountain range, Benahavis is one of the most mountainous village on the western Costa del Sol. Benahavis is situated near the beaches of the Costa del Sol and spectacular mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. Its terrain is traversed by the Rivers Guadalmina, Guadaiza, and Guadalmanza. Regions of great natural and historic interest are to be found within its boundaries, such as El Cerro del Duque, Daidin, and the Montemayor Castle.

The town itself is surrounded by natural parkland, and, as such, retains a modicum of its secluded, cosy feel. La Zagaleta, a highly exclusive mansion club which contributes to Benahavis’ status as the richest municipality per capita in Andalucía, lies within its boundaries, and overlooks the village.

During the late 1990s, the Junta de Andalucia constructed a dam on the site of an old marble quarry, meaning that for much of the year, the once ever-flowing Rio Guadalmina is merely a dried-up river bed.

History

At the end of the 11th century, Benahavis was founded by Arabs. Closely related with Costa del Sol’s Arabic past, and particularly with Marbella, the district which it belonged to until it was granted the so-called “Carta Puebla” by Philip II in 1572. Montemayor Castle, built prior to the Construction of Benahavis, playes a very important role in the battles between the various Arab kings in Andalusia, because of its strategic position. It was disputed for many years by the military factions of the epoch. Its prominent location overlooking up to a hundred kilometres of seaboard, and even the African coast, was extremely useful at a time when piracy and invasion were commonplace. The town takes its name from Havis, who reigned in Montemayor Castle. To be precise, Benahavis is basically Arabic (Ben al Havis) and means “son of Havis”.
The castle’s strategic location drew the attention of the Catholic Monarchs, intent on conquering the last Moorish kingdoms in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Isabel and Ferdinand’s forces had already laid siege to the Nazarite kingdom of Granada, but they decided first to occupy the nearby province of Malaga. Soon on the 11th of June, 1485, Benahavis, together with the localities of Daidin, Montemayor Castle, Cortes Fortress, Oxen, Arboto, Almachor, Tramores and Calalui Fort (the Castle of Light), in the Bermeja Mountains, all within the district of Marbella, were handed over to King Ferdinand the Catholic, by Mohammed Abuneza after the signing of the capitulation.
The Catholic King entrusted their custody to Don Pedro Villandrado, Count of Ribadeo, the first Christian mayor of Benahavis. From that moment on, a dispute arose between Benahavís and Marbella which lasted three and half centuries, until Benahavís achieved the status of a completely independent community. As for Montemayor Castle, it is worth noting that as well as its impressive location, it had underground passageways connecting it with the coast, large enough to take a man on horseback, through which the Arabs were able to move soldiers, food and weapons. Indeed in the 1960s a lorry broke through the roof of one of these in the town’s main square.

7 bedrooms, 1,299 constructed, 9.309m2 land

La Zagaleta is located in Benahavis near Marbella.

Benahavis is a Spanish mountain village situated between Marbella, Estepona, and Ronda, where it is located seven kilometers from the coast. Renowned for its restaurants, it is often called the dining room of the Costa del Sol. Benahavis holds nine of the 60 golf courses in the Costa del Sol; this number is expected to increase, again, to fifteen in the next decade.

Located on the southern face of La Serrania de Ronda mountain range, Benahavis is one of the most mountainous village on the western Costa del Sol. Benahavis is situated near the beaches of the Costa del Sol and spectacular mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. Its terrain is traversed by the Rivers Guadalmina, Guadaiza, and Guadalmanza. Regions of great natural and historic interest are to be found within its boundaries, such as El Cerro del Duque, Daidin, and the Montemayor Castle.

The town itself is surrounded by natural parkland, and, as such, retains a modicum of its secluded, cosy feel. La Zagaleta, a highly exclusive mansion club which contributes to Benahavis’ status as the richest municipality per capita in Andalucía, lies within its boundaries, and overlooks the village.

During the late 1990s, the Junta de Andalucia constructed a dam on the site of an old marble quarry, meaning that for much of the year, the once ever-flowing Rio Guadalmina is merely a dried-up river bed.

History

At the end of the 11th century, Benahavis was founded by Arabs. Closely related with Costa del Sol’s Arabic past, and particularly with Marbella, the district which it belonged to until it was granted the so-called “Carta Puebla” by Philip II in 1572. Montemayor Castle, built prior to the Construction of Benahavis, playes a very important role in the battles between the various Arab kings in Andalusia, because of its strategic position. It was disputed for many years by the military factions of the epoch. Its prominent location overlooking up to a hundred kilometres of seaboard, and even the African coast, was extremely useful at a time when piracy and invasion were commonplace. The town takes its name from Havis, who reigned in Montemayor Castle. To be precise, Benahavis is basically Arabic (Ben al Havis) and means “son of Havis”.
The castle’s strategic location drew the attention of the Catholic Monarchs, intent on conquering the last Moorish kingdoms in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Isabel and Ferdinand’s forces had already laid siege to the Nazarite kingdom of Granada, but they decided first to occupy the nearby province of Malaga. Soon on the 11th of June, 1485, Benahavis, together with the localities of Daidin, Montemayor Castle, Cortes Fortress, Oxen, Arboto, Almachor, Tramores and Calalui Fort (the Castle of Light), in the Bermeja Mountains, all within the district of Marbella, were handed over to King Ferdinand the Catholic, by Mohammed Abuneza after the signing of the capitulation.
The Catholic King entrusted their custody to Don Pedro Villandrado, Count of Ribadeo, the first Christian mayor of Benahavis. From that moment on, a dispute arose between Benahavís and Marbella which lasted three and half centuries, until Benahavís achieved the status of a completely independent community. As for Montemayor Castle, it is worth noting that as well as its impressive location, it had underground passageways connecting it with the coast, large enough to take a man on horseback, through which the Arabs were able to move soldiers, food and weapons. Indeed in the 1960s a lorry broke through the roof of one of these in the town’s main square.

5 bedrooms, 890 m2 constructed, 268.700 m2 land

Ronda is a city in the Spanish province of Malaga. It is located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from the city of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia. Its population is 35,512.

History

Ronda was first settled by the early Celts, but its subsequent Roman and then Moorish rulers are reflected most prominently in its architecture. The forces of Catholic Spain took control of the town in 1485, during the Reconquista. Acinipo is known locally as Ronda la Vieja, Arunda or Old Ronda. But Acinipo and Arunda (Ronda) are really separate towns of Roman origin

Geography

Ronda is situated in a very mountainous area about 750 metres (2,500 ft) above mean sea level. The Guadalevín River runs through the city, dividing it in two and carving out the steep, 100 plus meters deep El Tajo canyon upon which the city perches. The Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo) is endemic to the mountains surrounding Ronda.

Bridges

Three bridges, Puente Romano (”Roman Bridge”, also known as the Puente San Miguel), Puente Viejo (”Old Bridge”, also known as the Puente Arabe or “Arab Bridge”) and Puente Nuevo (”New Bridge”), span the canyon. The term “nuevo” is a bit of a misnomer, as the building of this bridge commenced in 1751 and took until 1793 to complete. The Puente Nuevo is the tallest of the bridges, towering 120 metres (390 ft) above the canyon floor, and all three serve as some of the city’s most impressive features.

Historic sites

Another important site in Ronda is the Plaza de toros de Ronda, the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain that is still used, albeit infrequently. It was built in 1784 in the Neoclassical style by the architect José Martin de Aldehuela, who also designed the Puente Nuevo.

The partially intact baños árabes (”Arab baths”) are found below the city and date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Both the Sufi scholar Salih ben Sharif al-Rundi (1204-1285) and the poet Ibn Abbad al-Rundi (1333-1390) were born in Ronda.

The former town hall, which sits next to the Puente Nuevo, is the site of a parador, and has an impressive view of the Tajo.

Cultural influence

Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles spent many summers in Ronda as part-time residents of Ronda’s old town quarter called La Ciudad. Both wrote about Ronda’s beauty and famous bull-fighting traditions. Their collective accounts have contributed to Ronda’s popularity over time.

Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls describes the murder of Nationalist sympathizers early in the Spanish Civil War. The Republicans murder the Nationalists by throwing them from cliffs in an Andalusian village, and Hemingway allegedly based the account on killings that took place in Ronda at the cliffs of El Tajo.

Orson Welles said he was inspired by his frequent trips to Spain and Ronda (e.g. Wells unfinished film about Don Quixote). After Wells died in 1985, his ashes were scattered in a Ronda bull-ring. About Ronda, Welles once said, “A man is not from where he is born, but where he chooses to die.”

The fictional hero of novelist George Eliot’s book was Daniel Deronda, the story of Spanish Jew brought up as an Englishman in the book of the same name. Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann (Marian) Evans. There is some ‘fun’ speculation that Evans’ ancestors may have lived in Ronda prior to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.

Transportation

Ronda is accessible via highways and by rail from Algeciras and from Córdoba.

 6 bedroom, 6 bathrooms.

Casares is a town and municipality in Spain, located in Málaga province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia

Geography and Demography

The municipality on Casares has a population of 4,051 (male: 2,139, female: 1,912), an area of 160 km² and a density of 25.3. Its geographic coordinates are: latitude: 36° 27′ 0N, longitude: 5° 16′ 60W, altitude: 246 msl.

The municipality borders with the following ones: Estepona, Manilva, and Gaucín.

The town of Casares has Moorish cliff-hugging buildings.

History

View over Casares

In Roman times the spa of la Hedionda, located on the road to Manilva, was already well known, and this is where Julius Caesar suppposedly was cured of a liver complaint, thanks to the sulfuric waters that still pour out of the local spring. For this reason that during the Roman Empire, Casares was allowed by emperors to mint its own coins.

The 12th century Castle, around which grew the present town center, was founded by the occupying Moors. In 1361, Peter I of Castile and the dethroned Muhammed V signed the Pact of Casares, by which the Moorish King recuperated his throne, leaving Casares as part of the Nasrid Dynasty. The town surrendered to the Catholic forces after the fall of Ronda in 1485 and was handed over to Rodrigo Ponce de León, Duke of Cádiz. Later during the Rebellion of the Moriscos, Rodrigo’s descendent, the Duke of Arcos, accepted the surrender of the rebel Moriscos, the Moors who had “converted” to Christianity. Casares had taken an active part in the Morisco rebellion, put down by Don John of Austria. The town separated from Manilva in 1795, being granted the title of Villa. At a later period, Casares was the only town, apart from Cádiz, that the Napoleonic troops has not been able to take.

More recent history indicates the old village as the birthplace of the father of Andalusian nationalism, Blas Infante Perez de Vargas, labor lawyer, politician, and writer, who is considered to be the largest historic figure in Andalucia. He was born in 1885 and died during the civil struggle in 1936.

Since 1978 the historical and artistic heritage of the village has been officially protected. .

Celebrations

The main fair (Feria) of Casares takes place during the first weekend in August. The day of the patron saint, the Virgen del Rosario, is celebrated in the first week in September, and in the middle of this month too is the Feria del Cristo. The most important of the Romero takes place the last Saturday in May.

Country House For Sale in Gaucin

Artistic village Gaucín,

A Moorish white village with the most wonderful views

Gaucín is a village in the mountains of Andalusia in southern Spain, inland from Marbella, Puerto Banus and Estepona, and not far from Ronda.

The village has a population of approximately 2,000. It lies about 600 metres above sea level in the Sierra del Hacho, dominated by the Castillo del Aguila (Eagle’s Castle), originally a Roman stronghold, expanded by the Arabs.

Tourist appeal

Gaucín is known for its spectacular views of Gibraltar, the Strait of Gibraltar and Morocco, as well the surrounding mountain scenery. It can be used as a base for visits to the so-called pueblos blancos of Andalusia. The village is reached by a 24km climb up a mountain road and presided over by a medieval castle. The population is augmented by a growing group of British expatriates. In the tourist shops, cork items are very popular, because cork forests surround the village.

Gaucín has been the inspiration of a number of artists and writers, and has been referred to as the “balcony of the Ronda Mountains, where the Holy Child appeared to St. John of God: the illustrious, always noble, very hospitable village of Gaucín.”

Cultural life

The cultural life of Gaucín is rich and plentiful. Many claim there is a great cameradarie among the inhabitants and there are often village-wide events that receive great showings of support.

Palm Sunday includes a procession to the church. A widely-attended Easter vigil takes place the night before.

A large carnival features chirigotas, fantastically-costumed groups that sing of current events in a humorous way. A party held on the main square with an orchestra goes on until dawn.

The feria, which lasts three days, is a celebration of the town itself and is held annually in early August. It is complete with a variety of carnival rides and games booths. The festivities also include a large pavilion where one can eat, drink, and watch musicians perform.

The pilgrimage of the Holy Child is a romeria on the last Sunday of August. The image of the Holy Child is taken in procession from the castle to the site of his supposed apparition, now a hermitage, for a rociera (flamenco mass followed by dancing, singing, eating and drinking until dawn.

A feast in honour of the Holy Child takes place on the 7th and 8th of September. Over nine days townsfolk climb to the castle for a novena, held in the Chapel of the Holy Child. Mass is celebrated and guest preachers preach. A party is given in the main square with processions, food, drink, music, and dancing.