No one can question the figure of the “hórreo” as a structuring element
of the rural landscape of the northern peninsular area. But ... What is a “hórreo”?
A “hórreo” (called “cabazo” in
Galician, “horru” in Asturian and “horriu” in Cantabrian) is an isolated
building, made of wood or stone, which functions as a warehouse
or barn, which is raised off the ground by pillars (called pegollus) also of wood or stone to prevent access of rodents.
Usually it has ventilation holes in the walls and it is commonly used for
storage of farm implements and agricultural products, as “fabas”, corn...
The “hórreo” is linked to the land, to their exploitation... to the
subsistence economy. Due to bad weather and humidity of the northern peninsular
area and pests it was vital to safeguard the obtained harvest, hence the build
such a wood warehouse.
It is unclear the origin of this construction, but some people argue
that it dates back to the time of the Roman Empire (calling them horreum) and other people that claim
going back much earlier, in Neolithic times, but the idea that it takes more
strength is that they are pre-Roman, although it cannot be justified due to the
absence of archaeological remains.
In Spain, “hórreos” are located mainly in the northeast peninsular area (Galicia,
Asturias and Cantabria), but there are similar buildings in the Pyrenees area and
in the northern Portugal area (calling them espigueiros).
In Europe there are similar constructions too, as in Switzerland (calling them mazot), in France (calling them chalot), in Sweden (calling them härbre)...
There are two types of “hórreos” according to their morphology: the
Galician type (with a square floor)
and the Asturian, Cantabrian... type (with a rectangular floor). The Cantabrian “hórreos” are different from
Asturian and Galician “hórreos” because the Cantabrian´s roof is gabled, unlike
the Asturian´s and Galician´s that is hipped. Within the Asturian “hórreos”
there are several types depending on the roofing material (slate, tile curve,
straw ...), the material of the “pegollus”
... In the eastern area the roofing material is generally curved tile, while in
the west often be slabs of slate.
On the Internet we can find many websites with the parts that make up
the “hórreo” thoroughly explained, pictures of construction details...
Basically a “hórreo” consists of “pilpayu” (where lies the pillar) “pegollu”
(pillar or support), “muela” (prevents the rise of
rodents), “tacu” (support the “trabe”),
“trabe”
(floor joists), “colondres” (walls“ of the hórreo”), “liños” (beams that hold
the roof), “viga del quesu” (beams that form
the roof) and “subidoria” (stairs to the “hórreo”).
There are many more elements that they have not been appointed here and
that also make up the “hórreo”, as a “viga
carcelera”, “tenovia”, “almanca”, “camaranchón”...
According to Law 16/1985, of 25 June, of Spanish Historical Heritage,
Goods of Cultural Interest are all “hórreos” and “cabazos” of Asturias and
Galicia over 100 years old. In the case of “hórreos”, they are protected
throughout the Principality and they cannot be exported from Asturias, in
addition to being regulated and prohibited all movements within the territory
of Asturias. Also, being members of the Asturian ethnographic heritage, they have
a specific regime of protection established in the Law of the Principality of
Asturias 1/2001, of 6 March, of Cultural Heritage.
This should be "a priori" a reason for their conservation, but
of the approximately 11000 “hórreos” that currently exist in Asturias,
disappears one per day, that is to say, they would disappear in 30 years if no
precautionary measures are taken to preserve them.
This neglect can be caused by the binding of several factors, including
the depopulation of rural areas together with the few aids by the
Administration. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism grants up to 12000 euros
for homeowners who meet certain conditions, among which are: uniqueness and
historical value, opening for visits, care during the last seven years ... The
cost of maintenance or the “hórreo” recovery overcome in most cases the wage that
the owner obtains. This, together with the few aids granted, makes gradually
abandon its maintenance.
Seeing this is understandable that few of them receive such grants if
most of them are abandoned and dilapidated. Then? Management should be
responsible for preserving the “hórreos” in the worst state before its
disappearance.
Many people advocating about a move of the most damaged “hórreos”, but
... Where? To a museum? A “hórreo” is not just a single building; it is form part
of an environment, so it is unthinkable to separate it from there. Others
advocate a change of use of “hórreos”; adapt it to modern times, but ... How? Transforming
into apartments? It would not be feasible given the few living conditions they
have, since the use for which it is intended for storage, so you adapt a home
in these areas would be a much more expensive than the aid offered by the
Administration, excluding aspects such as waste disposal, water resistance, soundproofing...
Whereupon the few “hórreos” those are still standing and have not
suffered from neglect, they changed its use, but they have become the roof of
the open garages, drying or storage rooms.
One could adopt a sustainable solution by adapting the cover for
rainwater harvesting, drying indoor use or resume use traditional pantry, using
an organic farm land without pesticides or toxins, organic food that little by
little is being marketed and consumed. Thus, in addition, be resumed once
existing neighborhood relations together with an exchange of agricultural
products between the members of that community.
From here I propose a solution by creating an objective census, an
inventory of existing “hórreos” that we can still recover, but not only limited
to its location but also an exhaustive study of it, besides the use of old wood
used aforetime (oak, chestnut...) for the restoration of the oldest “hórreos”
(including reuse of granaries and timber or destroyed in an unrecoverable
state) and that the use of other woods could harm them.
All this along with an outreach program, through eco-museums (museums
merged with the environment), ethnological routes, guided tours... showing the “hórreo”
as it is, that is to say, a specific construction of Asturias and it is a
identifying symbol of the area, therefore, defend the identity of that
construction.
“Hórreos” are not just a tourist attraction, they are a proof of a way
of life, understand the reason for its construction is to understand the origin
of this element and, therefore, find the reasons for their conservation.
If you desire to read this article in Spanish or seeing the photographs,
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