Casa Salto del Caballo

About

Casa Salto del Caballo is situated in the small village of La Fontañera, just a few kilometres from Valencia de Alcántara. It is the last house in Spain, located directly on the border to Portugal. You can literally come in from the Spanish side and walk out through the other doors onto the magnificent São Mamede Natural Park in Portugal. From here you can enjoy stunning views towards the Natural Park Serra de São Mamede and the Castle of Marvão in the Alto Alentejo of Portugal. The buildings date back to the late 19th century, and the location is historically significant. The strategic position of the house has lent it a past always connected to the smuggling trade between Portugal and Spain. Up until 1992, when the borders opened, mainly coffee and leather boots, but also bread, garlic or whatever else was wanted on the other side was smuggled. As the front entrance is in Spain and the backdoor opens onto Portugal, it was a “casa de la duda” – a house in no-man’s land.