Set in the hills of Córdoba, Aguas de Villaharta is a place where you can feel the history.
Originally founded in the 19th century, when civil engineer Elías Cervelló y Chinesta discovered the area’s healing spring waters, the site became home to the Fuente Agria spa.
In 1950, it was acquired by José Doval Galán and remained in the family for decades. When the current owners took over in 2015, they stepped into a property rich in history, but in need of complete restoration.
What they found were buildings marked by time—fragile, but full of character. With a clear vision and a deep respect for the past, they began rebuilding slowly, working with what was already there rather than replacing it.
© Aguas de Villaharta
© Aguas de Villaharta
The original architecture remains present throughout: wooden ceilings, thick masonry walls, and natural materials that define the space. Instead of contrasting this with something new, the approach was to create a quiet balance between old and new.
MAS MAYA became part of that process during the design phase. Its mineral-based material offered a way to modernize the space without losing its essence.
In a structure without modern foundations, where breathability is essential, it also provided a practical solution—helping to regulate moisture while supporting the natural behavior of the building.
Applied across both walls and floors, MAS MAYA brings continuity to the interiors. Its soft, natural finish works effortlessly alongside corten steel, aged wood, and local stone.
The result is cohesive, calm, and grounded.
© Aguas de Villaharta
© Aguas de Villaharta
There is a sense, when you move through the space, that it tells a story. The past is still visible in the architecture, while the material adds a quiet layer of clarity and refinement.
Nothing feels overdone. The balance is natural.
Even the small imperfections—fine cracks that appear over time as the structure shifts—add to this feeling. They reflect the life of the building, rather than detract from it.
Today, Aguas de Villaharta houses a restaurant that embodies this philosophy entirely. The space feels both unexpected and deeply rooted—an environment where guests encounter not just design, but atmosphere.
There is a sense of discovery upon entering, a quiet shift in perception shaped by material, light, and proportion.
© Aguas de Villaharta
© Aguas de Villaharta
Today, Aguas de Villaharta houses a restaurant that embodies this philosophy entirely. The space feels both unexpected and deeply rooted—an environment where guests encounter not just design, but atmosphere. There is a sense of discovery upon entering, a quiet shift in perception shaped by material, light, and proportion.
Behind it all lies a process defined by persistence and evolution. The project has never been “finished” in the conventional sense; it continues to grow, adapt, and refine itself over time. Each decision, each adjustment—no matter how small—contributes to a larger narrative.
For MAS MAYA, Villaharta stands as more than a completed work. It is a demonstration of what can emerge when material is treated not as surface, but as substance—when it supports not only how a space looks, but how it lives.
Here, architecture is not about perfection. It is about presence.
For more information visit:
aguasdevillaharta.com
@aguas_de_villaharta
