|
La Fabrica (The Tin Factory)
History
The first ever factory set up in Spain for the production of tin was built in Júzcar, according to a book published by the Altos Hornos de Vizcaya, the biggest foundry in the country. The reason Júzcar was chosen as the site was the ready supply of hardwood in the area, essential in the smelting process. The factory began production in the year 1731 under the rather cumbersome trading name "The never before seen in Spain Royal Tin and its Adherents Factory, under the reign of the always invincible Catholic Monarchs don Felipe V and doña Isabel Farnesio." This, in any case, was written in stone at the entrance, the book tells us.
The factory, situated beside the river in a place now known as the Finca La Fábrica, had a secret research area, and employed 200 workers. About 30 technicians under the management of two Swiss engineers, Pedro Menrón and Emerico Dupasquier, were brought in from Germany to run the place, since the smelting process was not known in this country. The story goes that the technicians were smuggled out of Germany in barrels, since their departure was prohibited by law, in the interests of protecting the industry's secrets. We are also told that camels, rather than the more usual horses, donkeys or mules, were used to transport the products across the mountains, because they were better suited towards this task. They were sent there by the Madrid Government for this purpose. The factory, however, went bankrupt in the face of later tough Basque and Asturian competition.
The Fabrica today
The Fabrica is a unique collection of both restored and un-restored buildings. There were numerous buildings used for the various stages of tin smelting and as worker accommodation. There was also a large church. The factory, smelting house, oven and church are now magnificent buildings ready for restoration as most of the walls and distinctive arches are still intact. These ruins were well built using brick and mortar in the arches and earth and stone in the walls.
The cortijo, which was built later, has been restored to a high standard, using the original materials where possible. The restored cortijo still has the original arches and the walls have been re-built with the original foundations.
The Cortijo
The buildings have been completely restored using traditional materials; chestnut beams and decking in the roof, original flooring using old tiles and bricks, the doors (if not original) are period pieces that have been salvaged from other buildings of a similar age and so in harmony with the original build. All the windows have been made in a small local carpentry from high quality hardwood to a high standard.
The cortijo has been furnished to an extremely high standard using Spanish and south American antiques, some of which will be included with the sale. Although the rooms are large, the layout lends itself to individual apartments; each unique. The living areas are grand; the rooms are large, with high ceilings, original arches and fireplaces. The house has been built in a senorial style with large meeting areas and small intimate salons.
The installations of the house; plumbing and solar electricity (220 volts) are all new. However, the wiring has been done using porcelain reproduction switches in keeping with the sympathetic restoration. No expense has been spared to create a harmonious blend of comfort with original grandeur.
The house is just over 500m² on two floors.
Outside the main entrance to the house is a large stone paved patio with a formal Sevillano style citrus garden.
Church
The church is approximately 120m², with three of the original and entrance still standing. This could be restored into spacious two storey apartments. The original sacristy was demolished by a previous owner for the bricks! But the footprint of which still remains, allowing considerable amplification of the church.
Oven
The original oven is approximately 30m² in an oval shape with a curved ceiling that is still perfectly intact with 1m thick walls. The oven was used to fire the smelting. The present owner has plans to convert this space into an indoor heated swimming pool and Turkish steam room using solar water heaters.
Smelting House
Joined onto the oven is the smelting house; approximately 200m², originally used for smelting tin. The walls are largely still intact with a large brick arch at the entrance. This could easily be restored into a large two storey building.
La Fabrica (the factory)
This is the largest of the original buildings at approximately 400m². This is where the tin was sheeted. The building was constructed by master brick layers to a high standard of engineering. There are numerous arches throughout the building all of which are still intact. The River Genal runs past one side of the building. Although the building has been without a roof for a long time, the outside walls are of lime mortar and stone construction and are still intact to the height of the original roof.
La Fabrica is a rectangular building almost church like in that it has the central aisle open to the roof with arches on both sides opening onto smaller rooms.
The beauty of these buildings is their setting; they and the cortijo are set in a circular layout with a large expanse of flat garden with fruit trees and a swimming pool in the
center. They are surrounded on the outside by Vegas (flat, fertile land suitable for organic vegetable and fruit gardens) and then by the forested mountains. This creates a sense of a private and spacious landscape of buildings and nature. All the land surrounding the La Fabrica is part of the productive 32 hectare estate of cork and chestnut and evergreen oak forest (a haven of wildlife). Some of the large flat area could easily be allocated to parking.
Location
La Fabrica is situated in a small valley with the River Genal as its border on one side and a semi-circle of wooded hills behind it. The nearest village, Juzcar is about
10 minutes drive away. Juzcar is just under 2 hours from Malaga airport (or 1.5
hours if your late for your flight). The road to the Fabrica (from the main
road) is a short stretch (about 3k) of well maintained, un-surfaced track through wooded mountains.
The River Genal runs all year round. It winds its way through Mediterranean forest of cork and stone oak. The landscape is totally unspoilt with a vast amount of flora and fauna. There are tracks for walking, bird watching, horse riding and the river for swimming in.
Additional information
- Water - there are aceqia rights - the right to take water from River Genal for irrigation. There are also other water rights
as well as mains from the town. Although there is a large amount of water available it would be straightforward to put in a well should more be required.
- Electricity - all electricity is provided by solar panels inverted to 220 volts. It would be a simple matter to increase the potential of this system as the existing solar installation has the capacity to be increased by adding more panels and batteries.
- There is mobile telephone reception from the Fabrica.
- There are other buildings around the property that are on the estate. There is also the possibility that the finca next door could be for sale which was part of the original Fabrica estate.
|
