El Martinete, the mansion of Antonio Ruiz Soler, Antonio El Bailarín, in Marbella (Málaga) – the scene of crazy parties, unspeakable romances and secret love affairs, such as that of Vivien Leigh and the artist – is again for sale for 30 million of euros in an operation not suitable for all budgets.
But, whether it is sold or not, spending a few days in this exclusive property, bathing in its pool with a Picasso silkscreen and feeling like a Hollywood star is possible and has a price: between 35,000 and 80,000 euros per week, depending on the season. . .
Located in Puerto Banús, on the beachfront, Antonio named it after his best-known dance, the flamenco martinete, a percussive and agile style that resembles the hammer of a blacksmith’s anvil and is, in addition, a creation . typical of the legendary Sevillian dancer.
The history of this mythical villa will be forever linked to that of its first owner – one of the most popular flamenco dancers of the 20th century and a famous artistic director, who participated in more than forty Metro Goldwyn Mayer musicals – and to the halo . of luxury and glamor that surrounds Marbella, the city of the thousand and one nights, and to which in some way it contributed.
Worthy of a Hollywood mogul, El Martinete stands on a plot of 4,017 square meters and has almost 2,000 built spaces that are distributed between the main residence with two floors, basement and solarium, as well as two independent accessory homes.
El Martinete’s bedroom
Sea views from a 120 meter bedroom.
The property can comfortably accommodate up to sixteen guests between the five bedrooms of the large house – the main one, measuring 120 square meters and with sea views – and the four guest cottage rooms.
It also has an outdoor jacuzzi, spa area, indoor heated pool and even a small beauty and hair salon.
Upon entering this imposing mansion, inspired by classic Mediterranean architecture and surrounded by gardens, your attention is drawn to a large, triple-height hall that connects with the main living room, a white marble porch and the access staircase to its mythical . swimming pool, at the bottom of which you can see a drawing by Pablo Picasso.
Become an object of worship for many, the pool is one of the most characteristic elements of the villa and also one of the most appreciated.
The popular dancer, who for years toured the world and made a name for himself in the Hollywood of the golden years with his unique way of dancing, was seen at a royal event as well as walking alongside the celluloid stars of the moment. . like Ava Gardner or Vivien Leigh, with whom it was always rumored that he had had a torrid romance.
From Nikolai Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nuréyev to Charles Chaplin and Pablo Picasso fell at his feet. The story goes that the painter from Malaga invited the dancer to the party he organized to celebrate his 80th birthday and that, after seeing the Sevillian dance, he was fascinated by his art and power.
View of El Martinete, the mansion of Antonio Ruiz Soler -Antonio El Bailarín- in Marbella
A sketch of Picasso in the pool.
“The painter was so enchanted that he jumped over the table that separated them, helping himself with one hand, he began to dance rumbas with Antonio, fell on his knees, kissed him on the cheek, then got up, took a pencil, sketched a portrait of the dancer and dedicated it to him,” reads the obituary of the artist that “The Independent” published in February 1996.
Antonio El Bailarín not only preserved that sketch, but decided to engrave it on the tiles of the El Martinete pool, where it remains to this day, although the original is on display at the Almagro National Theater Museum, in Ciudad Real. . .
The artist invested a large part of his fortune in this mansion, an obligatory stop for the international “jet set” and whose walls were witnesses of great bacchanals and unspeakable romances and not so much, because discretion was not one of the virtues of the Sevillian, who did not He hesitated to air details of the intimate meeting he claimed to have had with Gina Lollobrigida.
Truth or lie, they are stories that today form part of the legend that accompanies one of the legendary houses of Marbella and its owner was, without a doubt, one of those artists who, without realizing it, made the city the destination. . preferred by the “jet set” and together with his guests he shaped the image of Marbella as it is known today.
The singer Yanela Brooks in a photo session at El Martinete, the mansion of Antonio Ruiz Soler -Antonio El Bailarín- in Marbella (Málaga)
EFE
