Finding Home Again: Inside Terra Rosa, a New LGBTQ+ Sanctuary in Nature

The Origin Story — Where It All Began

POH: Take us back to the beginning — what was the original spark that led to the creation of Terra Rosa?

Ofer: Terra Rosa began as a collective dream among a group of friends who were searching for a way to live in harmony and create a permanent sanctuary for our LGBTQ+ community to thrive.

POH: Was there a specific personal experience, spiritual turning point, or community need that inspired you?

Ofer: As our conversations deepened we realized our personal longing for connection was a reflection of a vast collective need within the LGBTQ+ family worldwide who are tired of isolation and urban disconnect. What started as a simple housing idea blossomed into a vision for a sanctuary and a healing space where our community could find a true sense of belonging and reclaim their bond with the earth. My own journey as a traveler across many cultures combined with years of leading workshops for gay men globally, taught me that we are always at our best when we are together and that the medicine our tribe needs most is a home where people can arrive and instantly feel accepted.

POH: Why did you choose this land near Barcelona? What does this particular geography offer energetically and culturally?

Ofer: We chose this magnificent land near Barcelona because it offers the perfect balance of a lush forest with sea views while being easily accessible from across Europe, yet remaining a peaceful world of its own.

Building a Retreat Center — The Reality Behind the Dream

POH: Creating a retreat center is romantic in theory — but complex in reality. What were the hardest challenges you faced?

Ofer: Bringing a two hundred year old property back to life is a demanding adventure that requires us to listen to the ancient stones while navigating the raw challenges of physical restoration and the constant puzzle of financial resources.

POH: Were there moments you doubted whether it would be possible? What helped you stay committed?

Ofer: Every day 🙂 But we stay committed to this path because we recognize that we only live once and there is no greater purpose than choosing to live the life we truly desire, rather than the one society has designed for us.

POH: Looking back, what would you tell someone dreaming of building their own retreat center?

Ofer: If I were to offer advice to anyone dreaming of building their own sanctuary, I would say it requires immense patience and a solid plan, but most importantly, it requires finding the right people to manifest that dream alongside you. Terra Rosa is a home for a community, and since we build community together, the best way to start is simply to find your people and take that leap because life is too short to wait for the perfect moment.

Vision, Values & Community

POH: Terra Rosa speaks strongly to community. Why is community such a central pillar in your philosophy?

Ofer: We believe that the collective is the very essence of our healing process. While the modern world has trained us to be isolated individuals in crowded cities, climbing endless ladders toward an imaginary success, we believe that the truth that matters is found in our togetherness, where we can finally let go of the ego and support one another in the simplicity of being.

Terra Rosa & the LGBT Community

POH: What specific healing needs do you feel are often overlooked for LGBT individuals?

Ofer: Many of us in the LGBTQ+ community have a profound need for a deep sense of belonging that is rooted in a spiritual connection to the earth and to each other, away from the distractions of the city environment.

POH: What are the core healing modalities offered at Terra Rosa?

Ofer: The foundation of healing at Terra Rosa is the community itself. We believe that living and staying together is the most powerful medicine available, as it allows us to heal the wounds of isolation simply by existing in the same sacred space. Beyond this communal foundation, we practice and offer a diverse range of training and workshops in modalities designed to facilitate deep emotional and spiritual transformation, including Somatic & Intimacy Work, Breathwork & Spiritual Exploration, Community & Heart Circles, Land Cultivation, Creative Arts, and many, many more. 

POH: If someone attends a retreat, what kind of transformation are they most likely to experience?

Ofer: The specific transformation depends entirely on the unique process each participant chooses to enter. For those diving deep to heal trauma, our breathwork and somatic modalities facilitate a powerful release and a return to emotional flow. Others may experience a profound spiritual and sexual awakening through our EROS retreat, reclaiming their authentic life force. For those seeking a deep connection to self and a celebration of the queer spirit, our Rainbow Journey offers a path of radical belonging. And there are, of course, many others. Ultimately, while the transformation is shaped by the specific path of the person, it is always rooted in the movement from isolation to the sacred medicine of community.

POH: What does “healing” mean to you personally?

Ofer: Healing isn’t about chasing some distant enlightenment. It’s actually about the quiet courage to embrace a simpler life and let go of the things that no longer serve us. That sounds easy on paper, but in reality, it’s a deep struggle to release the old stories and heavy patterns we’ve carried for years. We often cling to them because they’re familiar, but true healing happens when we finally stop managing that internal clutter, and when we let go of what we think we’re supposed to be.

Personal Reflection

POH: On a personal level — how has building Terra Rosa transformed you?

Ofer: Being part of building Terra Rosa has been a gift of total transformation that taught me the art of active patience and showed me that when we move from the isolated “I” to the collective “We” the weight of our challenges becomes much lighter. It has been a decade of searching and dedication that ultimately taught me that home is something we build with intention through every shared struggle and every collective success as we spread this magic around the world.

Visiting & Supporting Terra Rosa

POH: For someone who feels called to visit — how does the process work? What should they expect from their stay?

Ofer: For those who feel called to join us we invite you to experience our community through our retreat, training programs or simply by staying with us and sharing in our daily life.

POH: Who is Terra Rosa really for? Is it open to everyone?

Ofer: While we welcome all sincere seekers, our heart remains focused on providing a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community where they can find a home away from home.

POH: Tell us about the Terra Rosa Angel Program — how can people support your vision and how does it work?

Ofer: The Terra Rosa Angels Program is our way of inviting visionaries to support this dream financially and become foundational members of our growing family.

POH: What would it mean for you to have more Angels supporting this dream?

Ofer: Having more Angels would mean we can manifest more dreams and improve the infrastructure of this sacred land, ensuring that we can provide a lighthouse of connection and healing for generations to come.

For more info reach out to Ofer at  ofer@terrarosa.org.

POH:  Thank you Ofer for your time, I cant wait to visit your sancuary in person.