THE THRONE OF THE ALGARVE

It is not every day that such a property appears for sale and it is

certainly not for everyone´s budget although remaining

comparatively more than reasonable considering the size of this

exclusive asset on its enormous land which took half a life time to

build with today´s capital (opposed to centuries old castles original

investments) and building costs far higher than conventional ones.

Inquiring deeper into the subject, we become even more conscious

of the singularity of such a task which, as acknowledged by

professionals, can´t be undertaken with the nowadays procedure,

involving an architect and a builder as, due to the lack of reference,

neither the former nor the latter would commit themselves with

either fees, estimate or completion date. The experience would end half way with a serious conflict. “it is a one man

show, it costs what it may, it takes what it needs “ confesses the creator.

This 1.860 m2 big seigniorial residence on 46,800 m2 of land, atop a hill, with panoramic sea views, is a unique

property of this kind in the Algarve (and not just), a reference, a

privilege. This exclusive creativity is by itself worth the price. The

overwhelming

impact, here

second to none,

expresses a

selective and

respectful distance

with a feeling of

prestige and

fortune no villa

can reflect. Impressed visitors do not hide their amazement when

they are told that it is privately owned.

Started to build in the eighties, it is a piece of art, a handy work with actual technology conceived for a modern way

of living. During twenty years, stone masons have here practiced their skill. Big stone blocks were quarried out of

the very site, split manually then dressed, many numbered. Like centuries ago, there is no other way. The striking

love for details is constantly present.

This ageless place is an original and well succeeded architectural

blend between a fort with its eighty meters long crenelated front

rampart and turrets which from afar reminds the ages of chivalry

and of a Moorish palace with its typical arches, cloisters, hanging

garden and Andalusian patio when inside. An unexpected, very

harmonious alliance between war and peace.

The complex is composed mainly of a central master castle, a gate

pavilion and the two, partly three levels in the front feudal rampart.

A private 300m long, broad driveway leads to the main gate. The

picturesque layout offers four distinctive, totally independent and

separate accommodations, all with sea view. (foreseen 7 suites, can

be more) Different from one block homes, which is the case with

antique castles or most modern villas, this feature will be highly

appreciated by the host as well as by the guests, when receiving

family, friends or business / professional relations. In the dungeon, as befits a castle, the “ Knights´ Tavern” (170

m2) with bar, fireplace, several rooms, kitchen, L & G toilets, will impress the guest and may be the right place to

seal a deal.

A few steps higher, still within the feudal rampart, a 220 m2 large room (receptions, events, corporate seminars..)

gives access to a huge 1000m2 terrace overlooking the Algarvian landscape up to the ocean. By night we dominate

the shivering lights of Faro city following for miles along the coast, while, simultaneously we feel the enchantment

of the romantic spectacle of the inside illumination along the cloisters, in and around the central swimming pool.

Because of its uniqueness the castle is promoted by the Ministry of Culture for social and cultural events. Some

provisory arrangements will be removed. Due to the uncertainty of the final destination of such a place, (residence/

business or both) some rooms have inside not been completed. This consideration is obviously for logistic and

technical reasons determinant. At this level, a prospective buyer has already been himself confronted with such

situations and will appreciate it. The finishing, included in the price, will be executed according to the new owner´s

specifications.

Completing the description: An architecture matching over-flow swimming pool, pool house with bathroom and

changing rooms, a central laundry with staff bathroom, garages for five cars, technical rooms and a wind mill. An

heliport is possible.

Very central, the Faro international airport is reachable within 15 min drive and the access to the motorway which

crosses the plain down below the hill is only 2 km away Endless sand beaches, renowned golf courses, stars

restaurants and hotels are in the near neighbourhood.

Safe investment:

Portugal belongs socially and politically to the safest countries in the

E.U. There are no minorities´ claimings, no separatism, no religious

conflicts, no terrorism, never an attempt No wealth tax.

The exclusive privacy in the castle, the peaceful environment and the

marvellous climate of the Algarve are major advantages

Castelo do Moinho belongs to Saint Leger LLC registered in the

U.S.A. Saint Leger is the owner´s family name, architect and builder

of the place. It goes back to the 11th century. It is still very popular in Ireland and England for the horse race founded

by Antony Saint Leger in 1776 in the county of Doncaster.

The selling price is 18.6 Mio € with 46,800m2 of land or 14.5 Mio with 7,365 m2. Private financing can be considered.

The property is totally free from any encumbrances.

Handcrafted ceramic

These handcrafted examples illustrate the remark in the description that an architect and a builder couldn´t commit

themselves with either fees, estimate or a delay. Such execution details, all different, cannot be anticipated in the

global project , they are left to the creator´s artistic inspiration while building . Gates, doors, windows frames ,

arches, columns out of stones from rough big blocks would take a film. This explains why the architect needs to be

permanently on the site, he is the artistic surveyor. As the whole building consists mainly in such manual

interventions, with no restricted schedule, the lack of antecedents today does not permit a builder before starting, to

anticipate a figure, even an approximate one. A commercial valuation based on the historical or contemporaneous

real estate market would not be competent .Portuguese stone masons have won an international recognition.

Blown glass

Molten lead