A Tenerife estate with royal lineage for sale

A former retreat for Spanish royals, a 15-bedroom residential complex, is up for sale in Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands.

The furnished, 7,500 square metre complex, called El Drago and set in agricultural land, has an asking price of €4 million (Dh17.9m). Inquiries can be made through Rex Real Estate in Abu Dhabi.

The estate is in the northern hills of Tenerife, away from the resorts in the southern part of the island and is close to the town of La Orotava.

El Drago overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and offers a view of Tenerife's Teide volcano, Spain's highest mountain.

The concept of finca, Spanish for "estate", has been adapted to modern times to mean a holiday home in a rural setting.

King Juan Carlos I, Spain's present monarch, who oversaw his country's transition from a dictatorship under General Francisco Franco to a constitutional monarchy, spent holidays at El Drago during his youth. Previous owners include a former Portuguese prime minister, António Salazar.

Some parts of the 456 sq metre main houseare almost 400 years old. In keeping with its history, the architectural style of the house is colonial. Spanish, British, Dutch and French armies had attacked the island since the 15th century to establish dominance.

Set amid landscaped gardens, the complex also features several salons, a chapel and a sitting room with a fireplace.

Tenerife attracts about 5 million tourists annually, but that has not diminished its appeal among affluent Europeans, such as Germany's Porsche family, which owns property on the island.

Tenerife is known for abundant sunshine, but its popularity also rests on its large annual carnival.

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, held each year in February, is being proposed for designation as a World Heritage Site.

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