Living in Almeria and being part of Casa Contenta has given me a unique perspective on tradition in Almeria and the properties we are proud of to sell. Each one has its own charm, reflecting a little bit of me in its shape and colour. It is as if each property tells its own story, and I have the honour of being its storyteller.
An individual touch to each property
As I reflect on my own home, I can’t help but think of the day when I might consider selling it. It is a natural process that we all face at some point in our lives, especially when circumstances change and new generations bring with them new perspectives and aspirations.
Generational change is a common reason for selling a property. I remember the days when Almeria was a humble but beautiful place, welcoming people from all over with warmth and hospitality. Today, Almeria has undergone a remarkable change, evolving and growing in many ways. It is a place I am proud to be a part of.
The arrival of my parents’ generation in Almería in the 1970s marked the beginning of a new era for this beautiful region. Despite the challenges and poverty, Almeria has always been known for its natural beauty and the warmth of its people. They welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home from day one. For many of us, Almeria represented an opportunity for a fresh start, a land of promise and possibility.
The challenge of preserving tradition in Almeria
As we began to make our home in Almeria, we became aware of the unique value of the traditional architecture and cortijos that dot the landscape. These ancient structures, though dilapidated and abandoned in many cases, still radiated a timeless beauty and charm. However, we also witnessed how modernisation and urbanisation were changing the landscape, with cheaper, more angular buildings beginning to replace the rounded, traditional cortijos.
My father, a lover of traditional architecture, often regretted this change and longed for the days when houses had a touch of rustic charm.
Overnight, every house looked like something out of a factory of cheap geometric shapes, with corners so square you could measure the right angle with a ruler. Faced with this avalanche of boring geometry, my father used to lament in his peculiar style:
- – But I want them the way they used to be… rounded!”
- – How choosy, Don Caspar, please!
The solution to bring some curves back into the world was unexpectedly simple and a bit of fun: just take a piece of pipe of a specific diameter, cut it in half and, with a bit of mortar and good humour, voilà! Instant rounded corners.
The rounded corners in the Rincón de los Encuentros (for sale with Casa-Contenta).
The legacy of tradition in Almería
Few people remember those times. The plastic furniture, the smooth, icy floors and the ever thinner walls. In winter, the cold crept in through every crack, while in summer, the heat quickly settled inside the house. Suddenly, aluminium windows became (and still are) fashionable, with their roller shutters. Nothing to do with the old wooden frames and shutters that kept the rooms dark in the middle of summer.
Of course, today we greatly appreciate double-glazed windows. And Yes, it is also a blessing to be able to find good building materials.
What can we learn from all this? Many came here to fulfil a dream. And once the house was lived in… you started to take care of the garden, the water, and you learned from your neighbours, you became part of the community…
…and so, as you get older and lazier, there comes a time when, at the age of 75, you just want to doze off in the shade without worrying about anything.
In the meantime, why not explore the properties for sale and rent that Casa Contenta has to offer in Almeria?
As you have learned in this blog, each property has a unique history and a special touch.
Discover your next home or your perfect getaway and contact us today to start this new adventure!
Margaret Febr 2024
