Beyond the existing typologies in the Iberian Peninsula, aerial granaries are found all over the world on feet that are, in whole or in part, morphologically related to the granary, such as the Norwegian stabur, the Swedish Hebrew, the Polish sol'ek or the Serbian kukuruzniak… there are numerous examples.
In Asturias there are two types of constructions. The most numerous of them, the hórreo: a square-shaped building that is made up of a wooden chamber, often with a corridor, which is usually supported on four feet, or stone pillars. Breadbasket There are usually six. In any case, there is a false belief, very widespread, which tends to differentiate a hórreo from a panera counting only the pegollos. The hórreos were the first to appear, that is true; there are documented references from the thirteenth century. For its construction, the master granary selected two chestnut trees of similar size and thickness, cut them lengthwise and used them as beams, placing one half facing the other. As both trunks had similar measurements, the floor plan of the granary was square and its roof, with four equal slopes, ended in a single central finial, known as monkey, cantapaxarín, bishop or peak, depending on the area. The number of buds is not a distinguishing criterion, as it may vary depending on size, use or even subsequent renovations. With the arrival of new crops in the 17th century, mainly corn and potatoes, it became necessary to have more space for storage. It was then that the granaries evolved into a rectangular structure, give place to the first bread baskets, known as the "Maliayo type" in reference to Villaviciosa. Due to their more elongated shape, the paneras needed a top ridge to support the roof, which led to their roof being modified: instead of four equal slopes, they had two large slopes, two small slopes and two separate bows. In short, the simplest visual difference is this: The granary has a single bow at its top, while the bread basket has two..
The consolidation of the granary as a typology will take place from these changes resulting from the introduction of the corn cultivation, especially in Galicia and Asturias.
Currently the granaries serve other tasks, or none in particular. Only on the outside it is appreciated that they still fulfill the function for which they were created, and it is not uncommon to see them adorned with onions, garlic and other less perishable garden products. In this sense, the current refrigerators and freezers have relegated the hórreo to an almost romantic role.
We went on to quote the most important parts of the hórreo -which has many-:
· The pegollos. Columns usually of limestone, carved by hand, although there are some of wood. They raise the granary off the ground to isolate it. They are normally 120 cms. Tall.
· The molars or pegolleras. They are flat limestones, of some 80 cms., That avoid the passage of the rodents to the hórreo.
· The trabes. They are the four chestnut wood beams that form the base of the granary.
· The colondres. They are the walls of the hórreo that, generally, are formed by wooden boards criss-crossed in others and in the trabes.
· The tiles They are made of clay.
Asturias has a specific regime of protection of hórreos, paneras and cabazos included in the Law of the Principality of Asturias 1 / 2001, of 6 of March, of Cultural Heritage, in which the construction of granaries detached from the dwelling is forbidden, that those of new invoice must adapt to the materials and traditional constructive and morphological characteristics of these buildings, and establishes various regulations regarding granaries built before 1900, including those that have not been declared of Cultural Interest or included in the Inventory of Cultural Heritage of Asturias.
If you want to enjoy the hórreos there are several towns scattered throughout the geography where the number of these is large, you can go to Espinaréu or Bueño.
Asturian granaries
Etymologically, the word hórreo comes from the Latin horreum, which designated a building in which… Read more
Bueño: a walk through the granaries
The density of granaries and their good condition allows Bueño to boast of being a real village,… Read more
Currently, from the Asturian Granary Association , Based in the town of Candás, the company carries out invaluable work to promote this great Asturian heritage of granaries, bread baskets and cabazos. Collecting exhaustive information, documenting the oral tradition of the Asturian peoples and being a founding member of the RED HORREA, made up of several countries, in order to be able to present a candidacy for "Intangible Heritage" to UNESCO.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
