Exploring Two Abandoned Cortijos

A black and white photograph of a dilapidated abandoned cortijo situated on a hillside, surrounded by sparse greenery and trees, showcasing the remnants of a once-grand structure now in ruins.

This is the tale of two cortijos in one morning, photographed while out walking the dogs.

What is a cortijo?

A Spanish cortijo is a traditional rural dwelling or farmhouse typically found in southern Spain, particularly in regions like Andalucia, Extremadura, and parts of Murcia. These structures are an integral part of the agricultural landscape and reflect the historical and cultural heritage of the region.

Cortijos were historically used as residences for farm owners, agricultural workers, and their families who lived and worked on large estates known as “fincas” or “cortijadas.” They served as the centre of agricultural activity, providing housing for the landowners and farm labourers and storage space for agricultural equipment and produce.

Light Conditions

In Spain, the bright, harsh sun creates challenging lighting conditions for photography. Clear blue skies also make the featureless sky boring. Whenever possible, I prefer to take photographs when there is light cloud cover, especially with white, fluffy clouds. On this particular day, a storm was forecasted for the afternoon, and the clouds were already starting to build. So, keen to make the most of the conditions, I set off with my camera and my dog Flo to photograph two abandoned cortijos I had discovered some time ago.

Film Photo Details

I took all the photos on this page using a Pentax Spotmatic SP camera with Ilford Delta 100 film. I developed the negatives with Ilfotec LC29 at 1+26 for 6 minutes and 45 seconds @20C.

The photos were digitised using a Nikon Z6 mirrorless digital camera with a Tokina AT-X Pro Macro 100mm f2.8 D lens and processed using Capture One software.

I have not shown the usual GPS locations as the properties are on private land.

Film roll No 379.

The First Abandoned Cortijo

This was clearly a very large and grand cortijo. The owners must have been well off and, judging by the outbuildings, housed their workers and possibly animals within the complex.

Approaching the first cortijo, the sky was lightly overcast with the sun peeking through, providing a nice soft light.

Click on any photo for a larger version.

A dilapidated, abandoned cortijo sits on a hillside, surrounded by sparse vegetation. The structure features arched windows and a weathered facade, with a barren tree nearby, set against a cloudy sky and distant landscape.
Approaching the first cortijo
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/125 sec, f11
A dilapidated, two-story cortijo with crumbling walls and broken windows sits amid overgrown grass. A leafless tree stands nearby, contributing to the haunting atmosphere of abandonment in a black-and-white-style photograph.
The main dwelling – this would have been the owner’s residence
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/125 sec, f8
Black and white image of a dilapidated stone building with arches. The walls show peeling paint and graffiti, surrounded by overgrown grass and debris, reflecting a sense of abandonment and decay.
Grand front entrance porch
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, f11
A monochrome image of an abandoned building with stone walls, featuring two arched doorways. One doorway reveals a wall with graffiti, depicting a whimsical character. The surroundings show rubble and overgrown vegetation.
Taking a peek inside
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A weathered stone building with partially collapsed walls. An arched doorway leads into a derelict entrance porch, surrounded by rubble and vegetation, set against a cloudy sky and distant hills.
Looking along the front facade
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A partially collapsed stone wall of an old building, showing empty windows and overgrown grass in the foreground. The image captures a sense of decay and abandonment in a monochrome setting.
A two-storey wing on the right-hand side of the cortijo
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A monochrome image of a crumbling wall with a broken window, revealing the interior of a dilapidated room filled with debris and exposed architecture. The contrast highlights the textures of the brick and plaster.
Looking inside
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A partially collapsed building with exposed brick and debris visible through an open window. The scene captures a sense of decay and abandonment in a monochromatic tone.
Looking through another window
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f5.6
A dilapidated building with broken windows stands among overgrown trees, set against a cloudy sky. The structure's stone walls are partially crumbling, showcasing signs of decay in a forgotten landscape.
The main dwelling from the side/rear
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/125 sec, f5.6

Behind the main house was a stone wall (see photo above), probably enclosing a courtyard garden. This linked the main house with further outbuildings around the back – see below.

A desolate interior of an abandoned building, featuring crumbling brick walls, broken windows, and debris scattered on the floor, illuminated by natural light coming through a large arched window, creating a haunting yet captivating atmosphere.
An outbuilding, possibly used as a barn or to store produce. It may have also served as an animal pen or stables.
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f5.6
A winding dirt path leads alongside an old, weathered abandoned cortijo surrounded by sparse trees. The scene is captured in black and white, evoking a sense of nostalgia and solitude in a natural landscape.
A farm track along the side
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A weathered, abandoned building sits at the end of a winding dirt path, surrounded by sparse trees and overgrown grass, creating an eerie yet tranquil atmosphere in a black-and-white setting.
Leaving the first abandoned cortijo, a final look back as we head for the second
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A narrow road lined with olive trees under a cloudy sky, featuring a sign that reads "Privado de Caza.” A blossoming blooming almond tree add a touch of nature to the serene landscape.
We walk along a narrow road through olive groves
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8

The Second Abandoned Cortijo

The second abandoned cortijo was much smaller, just a small farmhouse. There were no outbuildings for farm workers, animals or equipment storage.

A serene black and white landscape featuring a winding dirt road leading to a an abandoned rustic house surrounded by rolling hills and olive trees under a cloudy sky.
Approaching the second abandoned cortijo
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/125 sec, f11
A rustic, weathered farmhouse sits amid rolling hills covered with olive trees, captured in black and white. The serene landscape features gently sloping terrain and a calm sky, evoking a sense of tranquility and nostalgia.
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/125 sec, f11
A weathered, abandoned, rustic house surrounded by olive trees, set against a softly lit sky. The scene captures a tranquil, natural landscape with a hint of historical charm.
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/125 sec, f11
A black and white photo of a weathered stone building with cracked walls. The structure stands against a backdrop of rolling hills and olive trees under a cloudy sky, highlighting a sense of rustic decay and natural beauty.
The side of the cortijo
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/125 sec, Aperture: f11
A black-and-white image depicting the interior of a dilapidated farmhouse. Doorways framed by crumbling walls reveal a view through the another room, with debris and a large rock scattered on the floor, conveying a sense of abandonment and decay.
Looking through the front door opening
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f5.6
A dark, abandoned room is visible through a barred window, revealing collapsed structures and overgrown weeds, evoking a sense of decay and neglect in this black and white scene.
A glimpse into decay
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A decaying interior of an abandoned building, featuring a fallen charred beam, broken walls, and scattered debris on the floor. The image is presented in black and white, highlighting the eerie atmosphere of neglect and disrepair.
Desolate interior
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f5.6
A weathered, partially collapsed building with a wooden door surrounded by overgrown vegetation and scattered stones, depicted in black and white.
Around the back
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8
A weathered, partially collapsed structure surrounded by rocky terrain, featuring an old wooden doorframe and a blooming tree, set against a cloudy sky. The scene captures a blend of nature and rustic decay.
What’s left of the lean-to
Camera: Pentax Spotmatic, Lens: Pentax Takumar 1:2/35mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: f8

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