This curious buildingis a raised granary, or 'hórreo', in the northern Spanish town of Avilés, which we recently visited. Among the most characteristic buildingsin the region the 'hórreo asturiano' was usually square and built of wood, itsmost striking feature being that each wooden piece perfectly fits with the nextwithout the need for screws, bolts or clamps.

The 'hórreo' issupported by four characteristic 'pegollos' or pillars made from wood orlimestone, and was a safe storehouse providing the Asturian farmer, with ananswer to a disagreeable climate by providing a relatively simple solution forprotecting the harvest from the region’s characteristically damp weather. Thiselevated building would hold food for the year, corn for livestock and grainfor next year’s crop, keeping it safe from fungi, rodents and bugs. Betweeneach pillar and the wooden base of the granary is a flat circular or squarestone called a 'muela' that prevents vermin from getting inside. Today it is commonfor the supporting pillars to sit on concrete bases.

The Principality of Asturias is thought to have around 20,000 'hórreos' usuallysitting next to rural houses across the region. Although the 'hórreo' inAvilés now sits in anurban setting, close to houses, restaurants, bars and other buildings, it wouldhave once been on the outskirts of the town among fields and orchards. Thesurvival of Avilés' 'hórreo' is due to region’s respect for its heritage and a nostalgia for theconcept of rural Arcadias.

[For the above informationI am indebted to my friend, Jose Maria Miranda Boto and this post on 'Barceló Experiences': https://www.barcelo.com/guia-turismo/en/spain/asturias/things-to-do/granaries-asturias/]

[Photo: David Weeks]

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