Who Was Gustav Winter? The Man Behind Villa Winter in Fuerteventura

Gustav Winter is one of the most talked-about figures in the modern history of Fuerteventura. Best known for his connection to Villa Winter, his life and work on the island have been the subject of both documented history and ongoing speculation.

While many stories surround his activities, historical records and interviews help to build a clearer picture of the man behind the mystery.

Gustav Winter was often described as being accompanied by a black dog, a detail that appears in a number of accounts and local stories.

Villa Winter in the remote area of Cofete

Early life and career

Gustav Winter was born in 1893 in Neustadt, in the Black Forest region of Germany. In 1915, at the age of 28, he moved to Madrid, where he established a technical studio.

In 1924, he went on to found the CICER electricity plant in Las Palmas on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria. This marked his early involvement in engineering and infrastructure projects within Spain, although there was no known connection to Fuerteventura at this stage.

Arrival in Fuerteventura

By the 1930s, Gustav Winter’s attention had turned towards Fuerteventura, particularly the remote Jandía Peninsula in the south of the island.

On 19 July 1937, the landowners, heirs of the Conde de Santa Coloma from Lanzarote, signed a lease granting Winter extensive rights over land covering much of the Jandía area. Later that year, he travelled to Berlin to secure funding for his plans.

In 1938, he returned to Fuerteventura with a team to survey and document the region, marking the beginning of his direct involvement with the area.

Wartime connections and activity

During the late 1930s and early 1940s, Gustav Winter’s activities became more closely linked with wider events taking place in Europe at the time.

It is known that in 1938 he became associated with the Abwehr, the German intelligence agency, and was authorised to work on projects connected to the German state. Around this period, large parts of the Jandía Peninsula were declared restricted, limiting access for local residents.

There are also documented accounts of German U-boats operating in the waters around the Canary Islands during the early 1940s, including visits to the port of Las Palmas. While these events are historically recorded, the extent of any direct connection to Fuerteventura or to Winter himself remains a subject of ongoing discussion.

The remote Jandía Peninsula where Winter developed projects

Construction of Villa Winter

Construction of Villa Winter began in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. The villa was built in a remote location near Cofete, with local labour used under strict conditions.

During the same period, a road was constructed to improve access to the area, reportedly using prisoners from the Tefía concentration camp. The building process was carried out with a high level of secrecy, and workers were often escorted to and from the site.

According to later accounts, the villa was not fully completed until 1958. Its unusual design, including a tower and nearby airstrip, has contributed to the many theories surrounding its purpose.

Later life and legacy

After the war, Gustav Winter continued to develop projects in Fuerteventura, including agricultural initiatives such as tomato plantations.

In 1962, land in the Jandía region was transferred to him in recognition of his role in developing the area. He remained associated with the region until his death in 1971.

In the years that followed, interest in both Gustav Winter and Villa Winter grew, fuelled by a mix of documented history and unresolved questions. While some aspects of his life are well recorded, others remain unclear, contributing to his lasting reputation as one of the island’s most intriguing historical figures.

History, mystery and interpretation

The story of Gustav Winter sits at the intersection of documented history and speculation. While records confirm his engineering work and presence in Fuerteventura, many of the more unusual claims remain unproven.

As a result, his legacy continues to be debated, with Villa Winter standing as a lasting reminder of a complex and still not fully understood chapter in the island’s history.

To explore the building itself and see what remains today, read our full feature on Inside Villa Winter.