(Constantina, Seville, Spain)
The house you chose to spend a few days of “rural tourism” is known as “La Casilla”
(small house) of Valcaliente by its current owners. The denomination “small” is used due to its
secondary nature, as an affectionate name, and it has been used by the last three generations
of owners at least. The current house had a comprehensive reform in 2006, but the main
outside walls and internal divisions are part of a construction of more than 150 years.
Its current owners are the fourth generation. Farm’s owners have always belonged to the
same family (Contreras and Ramos descent) since the middle of 19th century. The name of the
current business, ROCOVAL S.C., was created by the generation prior to the current one and is
composed of some key words of that origin: RO (Rodríguez), CO (Contreras), VAL (Valcaliente)
and S.C. (it comes from the Spanish term “Sociedad Civil” which is a professional partnership
created by the farm’s owners).
“La Casilla” is currently used for tourist or family leisure and as a residence during
agricultural works at certain times of the year. The previous known generations used it as a
seasonal home for recreation purposes, since the other existing facilities were used for
productive activities and as a residence for their workers and families. Possibly due to this, “La
Casilla” is considered a small —compared to the main farmhouse in front (currently very
deteriorated and semi-ruinous)— and cozy house to spend a few days or a season, not a
permanent residence. Perhaps it was originally used as a permanent residence and it was the
beginning of the dehesa (a typical Mediterranean forest), where it is currently located.
The farm, and most of the surrounding land, is located in Valcaliente —an area known
since old times which today involves 5 different properties—. “Amalia Contreras”, who died in
1977, was one of its owners’ name.
Valcaliente’s name seems to come from the old Castilian word “val” (valley) and “caliente”
(hot). In contrast, there are other areas in the north of Constantina, where autumn and winter
are colder. This northern area of the municipality has an altitude higher and a climate colder
than the southern area. Its environment and vegetation are a clear proof of that. The
temperature difference can also be appreciated when you go down to the town in some
seasons.
We are in the middle of Sierra Morena or Sierra Norte de Sevilla, in the north of the
province and the city of Seville, where Sierra de Constantina is located. Sierra Norte de Sevilla
is also the current natural park’s name, one of many Andalusian natural parks. For all these
reasons, Valcaliente has the typical characteristics of dehesas, farms and landscapes of the
Sierra Norte de Sevilla’s Natural Park.
Amalia Contreras’ farm is currently an agro-sylvo-pastoral land (agriculture, forestry and
livestock) focused on forestry (cork production of cork oaks, known as Quercus suber) and pigs
(Iberian pigs fed on acorns). These economic activities are complemented by others, such as
extensive sheep production (wool and meat production, sheep in semi-freedom), reduced mill
olive production (olive oil production), chestnut wood production (now in decline), other crops
(orchard and certain fruit trees), wild plants (asparagus, pine nuts, etc.) and mushrooms, among
others.
Some time ago (1960-90), this farm was used for dairy and beef cattle and goats (milk,
cheeses and meat). However, the origin of the economic exploitation is found in activities
related to the self-consumption for working families, who located orchards near springs,
together with pigs and goats for cheese and milk. From these “settlements” in the natural forest
of Mediterranean mountains, they extended their action to adjacent fields by means of
cultivating vineyards (the old big farmhouse was a wine press), olive groves and some small
crops of cereals in flat and better lands for human or animal consumption (barley, wheat, oats).
That is, the farm had the typical Mediterranean agriculture.
As you may know, many lands in these mountains are favorable to high quality wine
production and some wineries in the municipality are proof of so. The large extension of
dehesas with holm oaks, cork oaks, gall oaks and other species is two centuries old
approximately and was originally linked to the cork industry and, nowadays, to the production of
high quality Iberian pig products (fed up on acorn).
As decided by its current owners, the farm and its complete production are managed under
sustainable and green measures aiming to conserve and improve dehesas and traditional
landscapes in general. The use as a rural house for tourism is part of the said plan of enjoyment
and sustainability, always trying to adapt this farm to society demands in terms of resources and
cultural heritage.
So, this is a traditional farm in the natural park Sierra Norte de Sevilla, where currently
nobody lives on a permanent basis, but where 4 or 5 families —around 30 people— were living
and working in the past and were devoted to the typical economic activities of each season
—vineyards, olive groves, cereals, cork, wood, horticulture, pigs, goats, sheep, dairy cattle,
horses, hunting, etc.— and the related professional and cultural activities.
The farm has an approximate surface of 148 hectares divided into 6 large parcels or
fences, some medium ones and other smaller plots or corrals. Everything is thought for
managing cattle and using pastures and seasonal acorns appropriately. Every year Iberian pigs
are bred and fattened according to natural resources and the excess of feed in the farm is
consumed by a variable number of sheep. At the same time, agricultural and forestry
management is carefully maintained and improved.
Regarding the 148 hectares, there are around 106 hectares of dehesas (about 54 of holm
oaks —Quercus ilex— and 50 of cork oaks approximately), 20 hectares of small scattered olive
groves, 20 hectares of pastures and other hectares consisting of farmlands, orchards,
chestnuts, buildings and facilities, roads, among others. So, trees we can see when walking
through Valcaliente are (from more to less numerous): holm oaks, cork oaks, olive trees,
chestnuts, gall oaks, different cultivated trees (several fruit trees) and wild trees (poplars, pines,
etc.).
In the same way, we find some cultivated and wild pastures, herbs and shrubs, all of them
mixed as it is typical in Mediterranean ecosystems in mountains, where wild nature and crops
have found a natural balance. The use of synthetic chemical products in the agricultural
management is virtually non-existent. Here you will often see and contemplate wild animals and
you will always feel surrounded by an environment which has been taken care of by
generations.
WHAT TO VISIT IN CONSTANTINA
WHAT PRODUCTS ARE TYPICAL IN SIERRA NORTE AND CONSTANTINA
WHAT TO VISIT IN SIERRA NORTE
RURAL TOURISM IN VALCALIENTE. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
1. Regarding water consumption in the house, please notice that the supplied water comes from
an untreated spring through a traditional well. This water has been consumed for generations
and there has been no problem at all. However, CONSUMING BOTTLED WATER YOU WILL
HAVE AT YOUR DISPOSAL is recommended.
2. You can walk freely through all plots and parcels which are not locked, but taking the typical
precautions for nature walks.
3. Please be aware that eating mushrooms and other wild products is dangerous.
4. Lighting a fire is forbidden at any time and place, except for those places expressly provided
for it.
5. Entrance and exit gates of parcels should be left in the same way we found them, that is,
leave open those gates you find open and leave closed those gates you find closed.
Open/closed gates depend on the use of plots for the livestock and we should not interfere. The
gate next to the public road must always remain closed.
6. Livestock of the farm should not be disturbed or fed. If you want to help, please contact the
owner.
7. You must not enter the old farmhouse in front of the rural house or other facilities without
being accompanied by a person authorized by the owner.
8. If you see something “strange” or “dangerous” in the farm, please contact the owner (Contact
phone –
Valcaliente © 2021
