1.4-Hectare Self-Sufficient Quinta with Granite Stone Building, Spring, Streams & Food Forest – Vale de Prazeres, Portugal

1.4-Hectare Self-Sufficient Quinta with Granite Stone Building, Spring, Streams & Food Forest – Vale de Prazeres, Portugal

Price: €119,000

Location: Vale de Prazeres, Castelo Branco, Portugal

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

Build Size: Not specified

Land Size: 14,000 m² (1.4 hectares)

About the Property

Set amongst the beautiful Portuguese countryside of Vale de Prazeres, this unique 1.4-hectare quinta offers an exceptional opportunity to create a truly self-sufficient lifestyle surrounded by nature.

The property is a former oil mill, featuring a registered traditional granite stone building and a remarkable natural environment incorporating two streams, a natural spring, terraces, mature trees and an established edible forest.

Located between Castelo Branco and Covilhã, the quinta provides a peaceful and secluded setting while remaining within reach of local amenities.

A Thriving Food Forest

One of the property's most impressive features is its established edible forest ecosystem, developed over several years without the use of chemical treatments.

The land has been cultivated with an emphasis on working alongside the existing ecosystem, using natural fertilisers derived from the land and animal manure, while retaining traditional, unmodified plant varieties.

The food forest includes an extensive range of fruit and nut trees, including:

• Apple

• Pear

• Pomelo

• Fig

• Plum

• Walnut

• Orange

• Mandarin

• Lemon

• Persimmon

• Cherry

• Avocado

• Quince

• Arbutus

• Pecan

• Peach

  
  

There are also currant, blueberry, raspberry and hazelnut bushes, together with cultivated and wild grapevines and passionflower.

Perennial vegetables include rhubarb, galega kale and strawberries, while the property also contains a wide variety of aromatic and medicinal plants such as sage, bay laurel, oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemongrass, lemon balm, mint, echinacea, aloe vera, hawthorn, St. John's wort, mullein, mallow and hollyhock.

There are also approximately 50 olive trees, allowing the owner to harvest olives and take them to a local press to produce their own olive oil.

Water & Self-Sufficiency

Water is one of the property's greatest natural assets.

The land benefits from several independent water sources, including:

• Natural spring emerging directly from the rock

• Traditional granite spring trough

• Two natural streams

• Private access to both banks of one stream

• Open granite-stone well

• Rainwater harvesting system

• Four 1,000-litre rainwater tanks

• New 2,000-litre potable-water tank

• Underground water distribution system

The combination of natural springs, streams, a well and rainwater harvesting provides an impressive level of water security for both the land and agricultural activities.

The rainwater harvesting system uses zinc gutters across the rooflines, with the system designed to be expanded if required.

Solar Energy & Electrical Autonomy

The quinta is also equipped for independent electricity production.

A professional solar installation remains under warranty and includes high-quality components from recognised manufacturers, including:

• Victron Energy equipment

• LG solar panels

• BYD battery technology

• 5 kWh lithium battery storage

The system provides energy storage for use day and night and has been designed with future expansion in mind, including provision for an additional battery and further solar capacity.

This provides an excellent foundation for a genuinely autonomous lifestyle.

Traditional Granite Building & Workshop

The property includes a registered traditional granite stone building, reflecting its history as a former oil mill.

There is also a sturdy garage/workshop and secure storage area, which is fully damp-proofed and provides useful space for tools, materials, machinery and gardening equipment.

The outbuilding is also incorporated into the property's rainwater harvesting system.

The Land

The 1.4-hectare property sits within a natural valley with a particularly favourable microclimate for gardening and agriculture.

The land consists of numerous terraces alongside open areas and naturally sheltered sections beneath mature alder and oak trees.

Different areas enjoy both northern and southern aspects, creating a range of growing conditions across the property.

The result is a diverse and thriving ecosystem with considerable potential for further food production, gardening and regenerative agriculture.

Privacy & Access

The property is reached via a dead-end dirt track, ensuring a high degree of peace and privacy.

There are two access points, allowing different vehicle sizes to reach the property. The final section is an unpaved rural track, so a suitable country vehicle such as an SUV, pickup or high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

Despite its secluded setting, the quinta is conveniently positioned between Castelo Branco and Covilhã.

A Truly Self-Sufficient Lifestyle

This is much more than a piece of rural land.

With its registered traditional stone building, abundant natural water, independent solar system, established food forest, olive trees, productive terraces and incredibly diverse ecosystem, the property provides an unusually strong foundation for sustainable living.

For anyone looking to grow their own food, harvest their own water, generate their own electricity and live closely connected to the land, this quinta offers a rare opportunity in Portugal.

Key Features

• €119,000

• 14,000m² / 1.4 hectares

• Former oil mill

• Registered traditional granite stone building

• Two natural streams

• Year-round natural spring

• Traditional granite water trough

• Granite-stone well

• Extensive rainwater harvesting system

• 2,000-litre potable-water tank

• Four 1,000-litre rainwater tanks

• Professional solar installation

• Victron Energy equipment

• LG solar panels

• BYD lithium battery

• 5 kWh battery storage

• Expansion potential for solar and battery system

• Established edible food forest

• Approximately 50 olive trees

• Potential for own olive oil production

• Extensive fruit and nut trees

• Perennial vegetables

• Medicinal and aromatic plants

• Mature oak and alder trees

• Multiple terraces

• Garage/workshop and storage

• Peaceful dead-end rural location

• Excellent growing microclimate

• Between Castelo Branco and Covilhã

• Suitable for a self-sufficient rural lifestyle