El Quejigal is a unique property in a secluded valley in the heart of the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Originally constructed as a secadero – to dry chestnuts for winter fodder for the Pata Negra pigs of the Sierra, the adobe building is situated at the end of a valley that has been irrigated by old water canals dating back to when this sierra was part of Al Andalus.

The property has 190 m2 of living space. It is a long narrow building and the rooms are quite small. The building was originally used for smoke drying chestnuts. The centre hall is open as the owners took the floor out to give it more space. The kitchen/dining area is open plan. The large kitchen has a pizza oven and sink opposite the window facing the gardens, sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. The staircase splits into two to the first floor where there are two bedrooms and study.

The two hectare property has a stream running through it which has allowed the two gardens to produce wonderful fruits (apples, pears, apricots etc). There are also 60 chestnut trees on a slope opposite on the other side of the valley, as well as Quejigal trees (Quercus faginea-Portuguese Oak), next to the stream.

The sierra are famous for cured ham known as Jamon Serrano. The Park, which is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a micro-climate where chestnuts and fruit trees thrive due to the abundance of water.

The property is ideal for someone interested in:

- a secluded country home or, self sufficiency, perfect for permaculture. 

The land is perfect for fruit and veg, as next to small river and the gardens have old fruit trees and ample space for growing anything. Its south facing and sheltered, with water, so perfect for here. It also has one hectare of chestnuts.

The land is divided up into four main areas: The large garden has old fruit trees and is perfect for turning into an orchard. The grazing area above the large garden was used previously as a paddock for horses, could be turned into a small vineyard given its orientation. The small garden is below the house, bordering the river and the path that takes one to the ford. The chestnut grove on the hill opposite could be used for grazing Pata Negra pigs.

There is also a spit of land on the other side of the small garden which served as an entry point of the irrigation canal. A wooden canal was suspended over the ford and the water made to run over the stream and then along the side of the hill, above the small & large gardens.

The property has absolute privacy. There is a path going to the house which is overgrown and only used in spring by a handful of walkers. The other gardens are abandoned due to the ageing population of the local village, so no-one goes down into the valley now.

Winter climate is mixed. Quite wet some times, hence the chestnuts, river, gardens, etc. It is a micro-climate, very unusual to have chestnuts so far South.

Water is from a private well and power is via generators. Electricity is some way off and would be expensive to install. There is a septic tank for waste. Access is narrow and would need to be widen for vehicles.

Situated just one hour drive from Seville and only 50 kms from Portugal. There is a small hamlet, Galaroza, 1.5 kms from the property and two villages 6 km away where there area few shops, banks etc. A 4 x 4 is required due to the poor access which is narrow and needs improving. The biggest town is Aracena about 10 km from the village of Navahermosa where the property is situated. In Rio Tinto 40 km away there is a good national health hospital originally founded by the British run Rio Tinto Company.

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