Our finca El Tejar, which is part of the non-profit Humanitao Foundation, is located in a small, quiet valley near the Andalusian mountain village of Ojén. You can reach our finca via a partly unpaved country road, which is only used by the residents of neighboring fincas.
The finca rises in terraces from the bottom of the valley – through which a small stream flows – up to the entrance and main house of the finca.
What grows on the finca
In addition to lemon, orange and avocado trees, various other fruit trees also thrive, all of which exude their fragrance during the flowering season and attract many bees and other insects as they search for food. Cypresses, palms and yuccas grow in large numbers on El Tejar and give our finca its varied and inviting appearance. We grow a wide variety of vegetables for our own use: tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplants, pumpkin, cabbage, etc. A few chickens also help us be self-sufficient.
A stream gives water to the finca
Our finca is located next to a stream that provides us and all the neighboring fincas with the water we need for irrigation.
You are welcome to dip into one of the natural pools for refreshment, especially in the heat of summer. Even in winter, we appreciate the wonderfully invigorating quality of the stream after a stay in our sweat lodge. The stones heated in the fire, the cool water of the mountain stream, the powerful earth of the finca and the clear, pure air of Andalusian nature: All of these elements make the ’sweat lodge‘ experience something special, which we are happy to share with you.
Built with natural stone walls, the individual terraces of the finca are connected by paths and natural stone steps.
Ecological and environmentally friendly management
We – that is Andreas, Jutta, Katja and Otto – manage our finca in a purely ecological and environmentally friendly way. We work with various composting techniques, with biochar, worm humus, mulching. We are looking forward to gaining more and more experience and then passing on our knowledge in theory and practice. We are also always happy to learn more. Perhaps you would like to join us on this journey.
We have changed a lot of things in our household too: biodegradable home-made soaps, household cleaners, detergents.
Photovoltaic system
By installing (2018) and expanding (2023) a photovoltaic system, we can generate a large part of our electricity requirements on our own. We obtain the rest from a green electricity provider.
We take our service water from the stream and our drinking water from the well in the village or from a spring in the mountains.
Our animal friends
A small dog, several cats and an adorable pet pig enrich our life on the finca. They are all good friends with each other and win people’s hearts in no time.
Yogacenter Marbella
You can reach our Yogacenter Marbella in about 20 minutes by car. It is also part of the Humanitao-Stiftung. There you can take part in yoga and tai chi classes and other seminars.
Seminars on the finca
Every two years, usually in October, we offer the creative seminar ‚Kreativ pur!‘ or various courses on nature and landscape conservation. We will be happy to provide you with more information.
Living on the finca
There are several small stone and wooden huts on our finca, which blend harmoniously into the natural surroundings. If you are attending a seminar or simply want to recharge your batteries in nature for a while, you are welcome to stay in one of the huts or in a small room in the main house for a small fee, one that only covers our expenses.
Excursions in the surrounding area
In just a few minutes by car or half an hour on foot, you can reach the village of Ojén, one of Andalusia’s picturesque white mountain villages, which is only two kilometers away. From there, you can be in Marbella, on the Costa del Sol, in just a few minutes by bus or car. You can also explore the surrounding area – Málaga, Ronda, Granada, Córdoba and Seville – where you can immerse yourself in Andalusia’s rich Moorish past. There are also many natural paradises in the surrounding area that are well worth exploring.