In the heart of the island of Fuerteventura lies one of the great unsolved enigmas of recent history. This has sparked growing interest among people eager to uncover the secrets hidden within Casa de los Winter, located in the remote natural setting of Jandía, near Cofete Beach, which is why it is also known as the “Cofete chalet”.
But what is Casa Winter doing in the middle of nowhere? Who ordered its construction and why? These questions have generated numerous legends and speculations, although in this case we will rely only on documented evidence and leave aside occult theories.
Construction of Casa Winter
The construction of Casa Winter, located in a remote and hard-to-reach area, began in 1946. Traditionally, reaching it required many hours of walking or traveling by camel. Although there is now a road, the conditions of the route still make it difficult to access. Casa Winter is located in Cofete, on a plain between mountains and an extensive beach, which has raised questions about the reasons behind its construction and the unique features that make it stand out to historians.
Despite the passage of time, the mansion has preserved its luxurious splendor. Built of stone and concrete, it features an imposing tower on the right side, with large windows offering panoramic views of the Fuerteventura horizon. The interior is equally spectacular, with two floors that house exclusive rooms such as dining rooms with fireplaces, bedrooms, and other spaces of uncertain function. All rooms are arranged around an interior courtyard and balconies with privileged views. Even original decorative details remain, such as a wooden carved crocodile.
The construction of Casa Winter began in October 1946 under the supervision of the German engineer Gustav Winter. The first two years were intense, but after that the pace slowed down, and by 1954 there is no clear record of whether it was ever fully completed. The fact that Gustav Winter lived in Madrid while his summer house was being built and received detailed weekly reports with photographs has allowed a meticulous record of its progress, stone by stone.
This correspondence between the owner, the engineer, and the construction team has been a valuable source of information, including details about the budget, the progress of the work, and the hired personnel. However, there is still no clear understanding of the intention behind building such a remote property, which has led to numerous complex theories and legends.
The history of Villa Winter
The history of Villa Winter is varied, but the official version states that Gustav Winter ordered the construction of this building to enjoy his summers in Fuerteventura, away from the hustle and bustle of his daily life. The existence of natural caves beneath Casa Winter and the fact that Gustav Winter was of German origin during the context of World War II have fueled the imagination of the curious. This was further amplified when it became known that the family never actually enjoyed this summer residence, despite the enormous investment and expectations placed on it.
Curiously, the first occupants of Casa Winter were not its owners but the workers who were building it. Due to its difficult access, the workers occupied the basement rooms and later the main rooms during the years of construction. Starting in 1951, a road was built that allowed Gustav Winter to visit the house and spend several days personally checking on the progress. He was so enthusiastic that he left written records describing how he showed the unfinished house to personalities of the time and local authorities.
Gustav Winter’s idea was to promote Jandía as a tourist destination among his compatriots, so upon returning to Berlin in 1958, he attempted to rent it out, but was unsuccessful. The house remained empty, with some exceptions of friends who rented it for a few days. However, this was not enough, and financial problems arose, leading to the sale of a large part of the Dehesa de Jandía estate and later its division into four parts, which passed into the hands of Mr. Myhill, the daughters of Manuel Girona, and the other two parts for Winter and his wife, Isabel Althaus.
In 1965, at the age of 72, Gustav decided to sell his share to buy a small house in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and enjoy his life. However, he also wanted to ensure that his beloved residence would have a future, so he made sure it would no longer remain abandoned and paid the Pérez Acosta family to care for it and live there with their children. After two and a half years, the house became empty again.
How to get to Cofete and Casa Winter
Traditionally, access was on foot and with the help of animals. However, from 1951 onward, the first road access was built, which coincides with the route used today. An excellent starting point for visiting Casa Winter is from the IFA Altamarena Hotel, via the Punta de Jandía road, which takes you directly there.
In conclusion, Casa Winter represents a piece of hidden history in a remote location in the middle of nowhere in Fuerteventura. Despite this, it continues to attract curious visitors and tourists drawn by its legends as well as its unique architecture.
