Until just a few decades ago this 17th century water mill and bakery provided bread for the local community for over 300 years. Now, after a painstaking renovation carried out by the grandchildren of the last miller, it has been given a wonderful new lease of life.
This old Andalusian country house now provides accommodation for up to ten people in a truly unique environment. Set in two hectares of its own land (crossed by a river that collects the waters for Sierra Albayate), here the gentle beauty of this part of Andalucía combines with the equally relaxing tempo of Spanish country living.
Wherever possible, the original structure and workings of the mill have been kept, so a real sense of history remains. In fact the entire lower ground floor still houses all the old milling machinery where guests can wander at their leisure. These fascinating relics from the past have been faithfully respected and combined with a sensitive restoration of the house using original natural materials such as wood, clay, forged iron and hand crafted ceramic tiles. The result is a very special mix which combines 21st century comfort with history, tradition and charm.
Access to the house is through a vine covered walkway bordered by flowers, plants and ivy covered walls. It’s a perfectly cool spot to while away a few hours and the owners, knowing this, have provided comfortable cane sofas and chairs. It's tempting just to stop right here but this is just one of the many wonderfully relaxing spots in this utterly tranquil property.
The house opens into a long kitchen / dining / sitting room with a large fireplace. It was in this room that the flour was once sifted and the bread baked. The original oven is still there and in working order - shine a torch through the old metal door and you can see the enormous dome shaped, brick-lined structure behind.
With its old stone floors, original wooden flour sieves lining one wall and other antiques, it's not hard to imagine how this room looked a few decades ago - a hive of activity with a wonderful smell of bread filling the air. The owners can offer you the unique experience of learning how to make flour and bread - you just need to ask.
The first of the double bedrooms (accessed from the ground floor kitchen / living room) has its own en-suite bathroom. Light and airy, with a beamed ceiling and tiled floor, it is simply but impeccably furnished with an iron bedstead, antique lights and switches and colourful paintings. All the bedrooms follow a similar style but each has its own flavour, style and colour scheme. The attention given to even the smallest of details is evident throughout this wonderful house.
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Upstairs, there is a twin bedroom with a traditional cane lined ceiling. From here you cross a small hallway to access a cosy little sitting room and another open plan kitchen / dining area. With ochre walls, cobalt blue furnishings and a lovely old wooden dining table and chairs, these cheerful rooms have a distinctly Mediterranean feeling. The artistic layout of the kitchen with its hand made tiles may look rustic but it has also been fitted with all the very best quality appliances, all in a traditional style of course.
The remaining three bedrooms (two with twin beds and one with a double bed) are all located off a long corridor with a bathroom at the far end. Please note these three bedrooms (and the twin bedroom located across from the sitting room) all share this bathroom, which has a bath as well as a shower.
Beyond the kitchen lies a vine covered cobbled terrace, complete with outdoor dining table and chairs. A small but well maintained lawn extends beyond and takes one through to a romantic and rambling garden with walks down to the river and to an orchard full of fruit trees.
From the main terrace you can also climb some iron stairs to access a small roof terrace which has lovely views that extend over the entire property and to the gentle countryside all around.
The most recently developed area is the front garden. Here you will find the large 10 m x 5 m gated swimming pool - perfect for those with toddlers. With its shaded terrace area, complete with outdoor sofas, TV and DVD, and its large built-in barbecue there is everything here one could ever need for outdoor living under the gorgeous Andalusian sun. An outdoor kitchen is provided with an enormous fridge to keep all that food and drink you will need for your daily barbecues. Conveniently located next door to the kitchen is a large family dining table with bench seating. Shade is provided by a canopied structure.
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Should you feel the urge to venture out from the peace and tranquility of the glorious house and grounds, you will find a wealth of places to visit. Located deep in classical Andalusian countryside, at the crossroad of cultures and civilizations midway between Córdoba, Málaga and Granada, each of these fabulous cities are within easy reach. Even closer, there is the whitewashed village of Montefrío, perched high on its impressive rock.
Geographically located between two Natural Parks, the "Parque Natural de la Subbética Cordobesa" and the "Parque Natural del Poniente Granadino", the landscapes extend from from the summit of the surrounding sierras to the valleys around the property. Birds of prey, eagles, owls and thrushes fly the blue skies above rolling hillsides dotted with olive trees. There is a waterfall just a few metres away from the mill.
Whichever direction you head off in, you will be passing through glorious and unspoiled countryside …
