The art of Dry Stone. La Iglesuela del Cid

Together with other rural areas in Spain and other European countries, the provinces of Teruel and Castellón have interesting examples of dry stone constructions, art inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2018.

Dry-stone walling or dry-stone architecture is a traditional technique consisting of constructing with stones and no other building materials except for dry earth. The stability of the structures is guaranteed by the careful choice and placing of the stones.

It is a building method that does not harm the environment and reflects the balance between human beings and nature. In addition, the walls help to prevent natural disasters, and contribute in the fight against erosion and desertification. They improve biodiversity and create very positive micro-climates for farming activity. Apart from all this, in those areas where dry-stone walling is common, the art of working with stone is also an important sign of identity.

Kilometres of dry-stone walls can be viewed in the Maestrazgo in Teruel. However, the most outstanding examples are to be seen in La Iglesuela del Cid, especially the huts built without mortar that are covered by a corbelled roof.

Most of these were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and are very functional for livestock farming, especially in connection with transhumance.

ALC: 19.05.2023