Cloud House Farm

Cloud House Farm or Finca Casa Nube rests within the Municipal of Genalguacil (Andalucia, Spain) in the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja. The historic farm is at the centre of locality called Benestepar which is of historical note, dating back to the Moors conquest.

Benestepar was once a village and center of activity. It is understood that climate change and water shortage forced many residents to relocate to the villages Benarraba and Genalguacil.

The area must once have been of notable worth as there exists a Roman Bridge close to the farm which is in ruin, but still shows one half of a magnificent arch intact. The use of this bridge is continually debated, whether built to serve as a direct passage between Genalguacil and Casares or to serve a large mill close to the footing of the bridge.

Cloud House Farm has a notable ruin dating back 300+ years located at the Rio Almarchal river. An old Aguardiente Mill which still has the cut out for the kettle intact. Also on the site is an old Bodega which up until the 1970s was used for pressing locally grown grapes for the domestic production of Mosto wine.

The farm was abandoned for 20–30 years and is currently being restored back to its former glory.

The farm or Finca has had various names through the ages, commonly referred to as Finca Benestepar, Finca Los Cernicalos or FInca Casa Nube which denotes its current English translation Cloud House Farm. Located at 450m (N 36.540484, W -5.249593) in the foot hills of the largest peak in the area Los Reales it is common to be surrounded by clouds as its name sake refers.

The Farm is located on several historical walks, notably [The Walk of the Vizir’s Garden] documented by Guy Hunter Watts which takes walkers past the Roman Ruin and on past Cloud House Farm, linking the 2 villages Genalguacil and Benestepar.