Farmhouse 407 m², Colmenar

Set deep in the hills in the Montes de Málaga, this old cortijo, built in 1850 as an olive pressing station, or ‘lagar’, is situated along a very good dirt track, of around 4.7 kms, about 20 minutes from Colmenar. As is typical of these old dwellings, it has neighbours, in the form of two other country houses, one immediately behind, and attached from the rear, and the other close by, but this cortijo, with a wall built along the upper boundary, can become very private and independent from its neighbours.

The cortijo sits on a huge plot of undulating land, with various areas that are flat enough to have an orchard, vegetable patch, etc, the rest dropping into a valley and up the other side. There are many olive and almond trees, along with plenty of natural vegetation and indigenous species such as carob and oak trees. The location is ideal for walkers and nature lovers, far from everywhere!

A track leads down to the three houses and a private drive leads to the Lagar. A front garden, with a lower area ideal for a large above ground pool that could be flush with the ground at one end and leaving ample space for a sunbathing terrace area. A small ruined building sits by the main cortijo, perhaps worthy of restoration to make a separate apartment or a workshop.

The cortijo is on two floors. Each is spacious, with high ceilings and beautiful wooden ceilings with beams (to be completed in some places). There is plenty of scope for renovation to suit individual requirements, be it a b&b for walkers, or just a lovely, ancient, rambling home, lost in the Andalusian hills!

The ground floor consists of one huge room, with the original mill equipment and two deep, brick-built wells in the floor that could be kept and incorated into the flooring with a glass top, to make a feature in the fully restored cortijo. There is a downstairs bathroom and a large, rustic style kitchen, with doors out to a rear patio courtyard. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms to one side, and a huge additional area which could be divided up to suit individual requirements. Plans exist for 5 bedrooms and 4/5 bathrooms upstairs.

An interesting feature is the original sundial built into the corner of the outside wall – see photo below.

This stunning old house is just waiting for the right person to come along and give it the love and attention it deserves.

The nearest town is Colmenar, which is around 10 Kms to the North, and Malaga city is within one hour.