Rebuilding History: Molino Benizalte, Orgiva

On a dazzling May morning, the massive stone walls of 17th century Molino
Benizalte ('mill of the son of the oil family') promise deep shade inside.  We walk through a neat walled garden drowsing in the sun, and enter the cathedral calm of the former olive mill, which was still operating well into the 1950s.

'Hi, welcome to the Molino!' The hush is shattered as Sebastian Blakeley strides towards us, radiating his very own sustainable energy.  Dressed in his trademark was-white teeshirt, jeans and building- encrusted boots, Sebastian is on coffee break from supervising construction at David and Shujata Dry's lovely Barrio Luque development in nearby Orgiva.

Sebastian and his partner Pamela Lassalle bought the Molino in March 2005. Wasn't he daunted by the sheer scale of the restoration?

'No!' he booms. 'I'd already restored a 13th century house in Tuscany, and I was looking for a new challenge.' Plus, the Mill worked its spell on him:  'I'd seen loads of other places and almost given up looking in the area. But as soon as I walked in here, I had a clear vision of how it could be,' says the former furniture designer and cabinetmaker. (His clever, graceful designs for tables and chairs are modern classics).

Guided by his 'fear and loathing of cement' and a passionate commitment to green building principles,  Sebastian and his team set to work using local materials and traditional methods. Lime, quarried nearby, was traditionally used in this region as mortar, whitewash and insulation. Hemp fibre bricks provide excellent insulation and sustainable timber soars upwards to support the roof space. The 'cajones de tapial' construction of the walls, brick skeleton 'boxes' packed with compressed earth and stone, is thought to date back to Roman times.

Already, the Molino is coming back to life as a uniquely atmospheric celebration venue and centre for the arts. And Sebastian has turned the former stables/pig pens into a charming home for the Blakeley menagerie. But with three young children and their future to consider, Sebastian and Pamela have decided to put the Molino up for sale, even as work continues. 'We've drawn up detailed plans for the Molino as a superb retreat hotel with 22 bedrooms,' says Sebastian, leaping about to show us how the space would be divided.

You can take a look at the Molino and marvel at its vital statistics online. (Just scroll down past the Luque development details on David and Shujata's site). But the pictures don't quite capture the mystery or the beauty of the Mill and its setting, looking south to the dark hills of the Sierra Lujar. Come one summer evening as the sun is setting, to hear some jazz, blues or baroque music; see new art; experience real flamenco made even more dramatic in this magical setting. The Molino Benizalte will surely weave its spell on you too.

Comments

[Arpi]

Hi Miguel, glad you got some practical help from the blog! The Molino is moody and atmospheric, I think you'll find it rewarding to shoot there.

My husband is a photographer - if we think of any other excellent locations, we'll be in touch.

All the best, Arpi

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=611741619]

Thank you. I'm organizing a small group of photographers to visit La Alpujarra next spring and despite an initial scouting trip in August of 2008, I still need to fill some gaps with interesting locations. Your Andalucid provided me with two great ideas.