Property Description

This idyllic and secluded piece of land in central Portugal is called Lombo do Ouro, ‘Little mountain of gold’.

It is 3ha in size and situated in the scenic and open backcountry between the historic villages of Monsanto and Idanha-a-Velha.

It is secluded, but with good access, and no direct neighbours. This area of Portugal is known as Beira Beixa, and the land and nearby villages are about 30 minutes by car to the Spanish border.

Part of this land borders grazing land for animals, the rest is wild and natural habitat for local animal life, some prairie, some woodland. The land is also situated about 15 minutes by car from the Boom festival land, near the Idanha-a-Nova lake.

Atop the hill above the olive orchard is a large ruin for renovation. Part of the ruin has a simple roof to protect the walls and interior. From the house, you have wide, panoramic views to the east and the south. There are also several ruins of out-buildings, including a bread-oven house.

The land has abundant water resources, in particular, a large, year-round lake, which is fed by several natural springs. The lake is overflowing most of the year, testament to the fact that this land is sitting right on a major waterline. A specially-constructed underground access in the dam wall provides access to a tap in the bottom of the lake, allowing easy gravity-feed water supply to the orchard and garden. The land also has an old stone-lined agricultural well and a seasonal stream at the bottom of the land. Water here is indeed plentiful. The lake water has been lab-tested and is free of toxins or agricultural byproducts such as nitrates or nitrites. The lab results will be made available on request.

The olive orchard has about 75 mature olive trees that have been mostly brought back into production. Because of the abundant water and no-till land management practices employed here, the trees are healthy and productive. In the past, and with more care by the new owner, a harvest of 2000kg of olives per year can be expected.

At the bottom of the olive orchard, you will find a field with deep, rich soil, ideal for cultivation of a very large garden, orchard or other type of agricultural project. It would be big enough for a vineyard, mixed-fruit orchard or permaculture garden.

The lake’s edge is protected by willow trees, some holm oaks and other native trees, which act as a wind-barrier to reduce evaporation and give protection to native birds and other animals. The olive orchard may be fenced to give space to grazing animals.

Please write to us with any questions, or to arrange a viewing.