Paco in la casa de la conchas....the shell house in Albuñuelas

Wednesday afternoon.

Monchéri and I decide to take the afternoon off and pay a visit to Paco in Albuñuelas, the old man who lives in la casa de las conchas, the shell house.

We ask our way to the very few people passing by. Teneis que ir todo a bajo, you have to go down all the way, they say.

Paco started to cover the walls of his house with shells, 40 years ago then just couldn't stop.
He also collected gourds and created this unbelievable jungle


He started to sculpt as well. I love these heads which he placed above an ancient Roman stone water basin
Mushrooms of stones and shells grow here and there
Paco is very hospitable and welcomes anyone who knocks on his door
He looks like a mischievous kid when he explains that he just can't stay still and must create things all the time. Here is his collection of handmade rope craft items: food basket and boxes and even a..bra !
this is the view from the terrace.....I reckon it is indeniably inspiring

pics : me

Comments

Aleks said…
What a beauty,thank you olso for all the other beauty on your blog,very inspiering,hugs and love from Holland(cold,rainy,gray and brrrrrr).Ciao Sandra
Anonymous said…
All the pictures are great, but I loved the first one (with a street), the most.

Best regards from Nairobi,
Kacper
santamaker said…
Me encantan las conchas y las otras coleciones. Que hombre tan interesante! Quando vivia en Portugal, my familia tenia una casa de conchas en la playa de Farol.
Gracias
Dakota Bear said…
Wonderful pictures, I like the one of the descending street the best.

It is amazing what a person can make out of things taken from nature.

To have that view from the terrace should inspire anyone, how could it not?
tangobaby said…
What a fascinating destination and such an interesting person!
Dutchbaby said…
Beautiful images! I can see that he never sits still. Are those shells you can find nearby? They are so abundant and beautiful.
Relyn Lawson said…
OH. My. GOODNESS!!!! This is incredible. I absolutely love hearing stories of people who follow their passions. I especially like it when their passions are quirky. This is incredible. And, I am still laughing over the rope bra.
studioJudith said…
Absolutely GLORIOUS!!!!
It's such an inspiration to see someone follow his passion and just keep creating .
Once again, your photos truly capture the delight!

jjjj
Maya said…
Oh, this is fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
This is an obsession with a delightful consequence! People are unendingly fascinating....
What fun...I like Paco's creativity. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us. Love that long, narrow, sloping street in the first photo too.
Dorte said…
What a fascinating place ... and so lovely photos :-)
Swetha said…
wow.... stunning shots!! each picture has its own beauty! really amazing! and i liked the last picture! its just green..
Unknown said…
Hi Lala,

I really thought your pictures were

"gourd -geous"!

xo,

David
http://www.globalaroundtown.blogspot.com
Susana said…
Wow! Fascinating place, and I am sure he is a fascinating man! Tell us a bit more about him... what is he like?
Hey, paco, wanna swap :-)? What a lovely house and you're right, that view is very inspiring! Many thanks.

Greetings from London.
paris parfait said…
How fantastic! Such an interesting, restless and creative guy! Today at Bastille I bought a mercury glass mirror with its frame painstakingly covered in shells of various sizes by a Swedish artisan. Incredible the amount of work he put into it. And that was just one mirror! Thanks for sharing these great pics! xo
Unknown said…
OOOOOOOH! Paco has made his world such a delight! I love the whimsy and wonder of his creations.

His view is very inspiring, don't you just want to pick a citrus treat off that tree?
corine said…
This was a great post and realy wonderful images. I can almost hear the ocean in all those conchas. I would love to visit is one day.

corine/hidden in france
Enchanting Shell house. It sounds very poetic.
My interest is piqued. Who is Paco? I'd love to hear more stories about the shell-man. :-)
Scarlet said…
Paco's palace is beautiful! I love how you have to go down, down all the way down, but then what a view from the terrace!
Kasey said…
So unique and pretty!
rochambeau said…
Beautiful Lala,
His work and your photos!

xox
Constance
Cheryl Cato said…
How unusual! As always you have brought something interesting & beautiful to our eyes. Are these Valencia oranges growing on the hillside?
I have left a "One Lovely Blog" award for you in my May 5 post at http://frizzfrock.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-lovely-blog-award.html
I hope you will accept it. I thoroughly enjoy your posts!
You are either a very very good photographer, or you always manage to go to the most idylic places in Spain. I know there are lots of them...and I guess the secret lies in knowing the area where you live in.

Each day I find more beauty in Extremadura...

Thank you for sharing your treasures, have a wonderful weekend!
Gill said…
Those stone mushrooms are wonderful, as is his whole house!
Have a lazy, lovely weekend mon ami!
xo
Linda Sue said…
Lala- Ciao Bella- I am still in Venice and sometimes this inky dinky laptop works but not well enough to do anything with- Glad I could visit your blog and the shell house! Love this sort of thing. Much to do here- will return in two weeks! Arrivederci presto!
Unknown said…
Great creations and very interesting too!
Fifi Flowers said…
GORGEOUS... this post and the last few posts are filled with stunning photos! FAB blog you have!
DolceDreams said…
Love it!What a beautiful blog you have... I went to school in Salamanca for a summer, such a beautiful country you have...
Nathalie
Unknown said…
OMG
and the orange trees too!
SE'LAH... said…
Ooooh.

Love the gourds and the shells. How creative!
Jojo said…
I would love to live in a shell house! That is incredibly beautiful.
Gutsy Living said…
Since I love beaches and beach houses, this is an inspiration. Makes me relax just to see the photos. We lived in Belize and I liked to keep conch shells along the path entrance.
A.C. said…
you're such an adventurer! I love this blog!
brokeintrovert said…
Hello. Greetings from the states. Please visit my blog entry about my flea market finds. Do you know anything about taracea (sp) or Lopez Morilla at Torremolinos? I have six of his tiles that are so beautiful.
Unknown said…
lovely.thank you for your amazing blog.hugs

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