Mediterranean Gastronomy
A JOURNEY THROUGH NATURE, TRADITION AND FLAVOR
LA FINCA DE CHÁVARRI
BACK TO NATURAL
Where Nature, Culture and Leisure meet, 40 minutes from Madrid City Center.
A Hidden Gem, So Close Yet So Far
Tucked away in a little-known corner of Madrid’s countryside, La Finca de Chávarri is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.
Just 40 minutes from the city, stepping into this secluded valley feels like entering another dimension, a place where time slows down, and the noise of modern life fades away.
Here, the landscape whispers stories of the past, inviting visitors to reconnect with the essence of living.
A True Sanctuary of Biodiversity
Part of the Red Natura 2000 network, La Finca de Chávarri lies where the lush Vega of the Tajuña River meets the rugged hills of the Alcarria Madrileña. The Vega bursts with vibrant orchards, vineyards, and choperas that shift with the seasons, while the Alcarria enchants with olive groves, wild esparto, and timeless, moonlike landscapes.
This striking duality—evoking Tuscany’s verdant charm and Jordan’s serene elegance—creates a haven for diverse flora and fauna, from roe deer to bee-eaters.
La Finca de Chávarri is more than a destination; it’s a harmonious blend of nature’s contrasts, offering beauty that endures year-round.
Cerro de Cabeza Gorda:
A Treasure Within a Treasure
Hidden within the heart of La Finca de Chávarri, La Salina spring is nestled beneath Cerro de Cabeza Gorda.
To discover the spring, visitors embark on a tranquil 1.5-kilometer path from the Tajuña River, winding through picturesque landscapes.
La Salina Spring: A Natural Wonder Unlike Any Other.
What makes this spring truly remarkable is the extraordinary mineral richness of its waters, shaped by ancient geological transformations.
Millions of years ago, Madrid was covered by an inland sea. As the sea gradually evaporated, it left behind dense salt deposits, infusing the spring with a rare and powerful combination of sodium, magnesium, and potassium sulfates.
These waters were so exceptional that Nobel Prize laureate Santiago Ramón y Cajal declared them the most mineralized of their kind in Spain. Today, they are recognized as among the most concentrated in the world, rivaling even the famed waters of the Dead Sea.
These minerals are the foundation of the water’s renowned anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and restorative properties, making it a natural marvel with a legacy of healing.
A Legacy of Healing and Reverence
For centuries, the Salina spring has been celebrated for its ability to treat intestinal, hepatic, and dermatological conditions, earning a reputation as a cornerstone of natural medicine.
Its remarkable properties have drawn admiration from civilizations across history, from the Romans and Visigoths to Christians, who cherished this land for its abundant waters, fertile soil, and unique energy.
Sacred sites were built here to honor its natural richness, solidifying its status as a place of healing and connection.
A Strategic Location at the Crossroads of History, Wellness, and Spirituality
Strategically situated along major ancient routes, the region was a key point on the Roman road connecting Augusta Emerita (modern-day Mérida) with Caesarea Augusta (Zaragoza), which extended further to Tarraco (Tarragona). These historic trade and pilgrimage routes brought travelers and merchants, spreading the fame of the spring's therapeutic waters far beyond the local region.
In later centuries, the area’s significance grew with its connection to the Monastery of Uclés, a vital stop for pilgrims journeying along the Camino de Santiago. Uclés, often referred to as the “Headquarters of Santiago” due to its historic ties to the Order of Santiago, became a spiritual waypoint where travelers sought rest, reflection, and renewal.
Over time, this crossroads evolved into more than a mere stopover. It became a sanctuary of well-being, where the restorative power of the spring’s mineral-rich waters offered rejuvenation for body and soul, blending the heritage of ancient routes with the enduring legacy of spiritual and physical healing.
Meticulously designed, the estate protected the spring, harnessed the Tajuña River for hydroelectric energy, and connected to transport routes. By 1892, Chávarri had built a state-of-the-art hotel-balneario to promote the waters’ healing benefits, though legislative changes repurposed it as a family residence.
At the heart of the estate was La Fábrica de la Luz, a hydroelectric plant that powered operations and made Carabaña the first town in Madrid to receive electricity.
Chávarri extended the railway to the property, adding Apeadero Chávarri, a private station that streamlined distribution and boosted the region’s economy. Featuring over 20 mineral wells, a bottling plant, and a salt recovery facility, the industrial hub created jobs and revitalized the local economy.
Chávarri’s legacy endures as a model of innovation, combining wellness, industry, and progress to shape the future of Carabaña.
Agua de Carabaña: A Centenary Icon of Spanish Health and Beauty
These posters, along with vintage bottles, soaps, and salts, are now coveted collectibles, cherished for their historical and artistic value.
La Finca de Chávarri: A Distinguished Landmark of Madrid’s Industrial Heritage
After Ruperto J. Chávarri's death in 1911, his family carried forward the estate’s industrial legacy, preserving its operations throughout much of the 20th century.
At the turn of the 21st century, recognizing the estate’s exceptional historical value, a hotel group acquired the property and embarked on an ambitious restoration project to revitalize the 19th-century buildings, meticulously preserving their architectural integrity while repurposing them to welcome visitors.
Completed before the COVID-19 pandemic, this restoration signaled the close of one chapter and the beginning of another, breathing new life into La Finca de Chávarri and paving the way for its next evolution
From Industrial Estate to SALASIA Estate
In a post-COVID world, where humanity seeks balance, connection, and renewal, Salasia Estate emerges as a new chapter in the finca’s storied history.
With a name rooted in Latin, “Salasia” draws from salt, symbolizing purity, health, and the sea, and Salacia, the Roman goddess of saltwater and calm. These connections reflect the estate’s essence: tranquility, depth, and the timeless power of renewal.
Salasia Estate aspires to be more than a destination; it aims to redefine wellness and regional transformation for Spain and Southern Europe.
A Space for Renewal and Inspiration
Here, the mineral waters of La Salina are poised to reclaim their role at the heart of a transformative experience.
Culture and nature intertwine with history and vision, creating a space where visitors can reconnect with themselves, their surroundings, and the possibility of a better world.
Carretera de Ambite, km 8,700.. 28570 Carabaña, Madrid
marta.garciadealcaraz@salasia.es
0034 699 26 36 46