CASA PACHA MAMA | familiafeliz

CASA PACHA MAMA - the beginning 1988 - terrasse view — casa-pacha-mama-the-beginning-1988-11

This is the story of an old stone house in the center of Cervera del Maestre. It is also the story of more than 40 years living and working in a village in the mountains of Maestrazgo and its the story about LOVE.

CASA PACHA MAMA - the beginning 1988 - roof and upper front — CASA PACHA MAMA – the beginning 1988 – roof and upper front

The beginning for FamiliaFeliz was in 1988, the beginning of tha habitants of this house maybe 600 years earlier.

The house CASA PACHA MAMA was the second house in the village that we planned to rebuild and use for the community. When we started to provisionally prepare it for visitors, we had no idea that it would take us more than 40 years to actually implement this project.

casa-pacha-mama-the-beginning-1988-the-kitchen — CASA PACHA MAMA 1988 – the kitchen

At first it was a storage and reserve area for building materials, then we were able to temporarily accommodate construction workers. A simple kitchen, a very simple bathroom, windows without glass, life was pure and direct, authentic, powerful.

casa-pacha-mama-the-beginning-1988-the-bath room — CASA PACHA MAMA – 1988 – the bath room

For many years, the energy was tied to the other construction projects in Germany and Spain. Again and again it was a question of concentrating on the next goal, and time and again the plan to rebuild this house took a back seat.

CASA PACHA MAMA - the window in the guest room 1st floor — CASA PACHA MAMA 1988 – the window in the guest room 1st floor

But there was also a reason to hold on to the project again and again, a great love wanted to set an example. And so, again and again, small and large efforts were made to resume the project.

CASA PACHA MAMA 2006 – 2007 – rebuilding starts again… bodega

From spring 2006 to spring 2007 the house was largely rebuilt. The work was complex, little work space, very little storage space, demanding statics, difficult access to the material, huge amounts of rubble and building materials that had to be moved.

CASA PACHA MAMA 1988 - 2007 - entrance — CASA PACHA MAMA 1988 – 2007 – entrance

The facade, including a large foundation to absorb the loads, was completely rebuilt. The door and window frames and the new staircase to the front door were designed with great attention to detail.

CASA PACHA MAMA - 1988 - 2007 - the old and the new front — CASA PACHA MAMA – 1988 – 2007 – the old and the new front

The house was named CASA PACHA MAMA. Depicted as an abstract symbol and as a sculpture in a niche in the façade, we found this dedication appropriate. This house stands for unconditional love for people and is a place of contemplation, peace and joy.

CASA PACHA MAMA crux andina in the front — CASA PACHA MAMA – 2007 – crux andina in the front

Pachamama is now seen as a factor in identity, socio-political resistance and hope for a fuller life, writes Wikipedia. So this house is also a social sculpture in the village of Cervera del Maestre. It has been connecting people for over 45 years with the idea of experiencing and enjoying human togetherness beyond expectations. Now it is time to finish the reconstruction…