This cylindrical construction was used to store the snow that fell in winter or the snow transported from the Sierra Mariola and which was transported with cars.
It was a very common practice in the 16th and 18th centuries and was used to make ice cream and soft drinks, preserve food, and even make medicines, reduce the
fever and relieve bruises. The "snow house" is a large well, very deep, and with a cover to avoid sunstroke. The top protrudes above
of! ground level and the rest is buried, thus helping the thermal insulation necessary to preserve the snow. The interior walls were made of masonry. Between
On the upper level and on the roof there are several openings through which you could enter inside and load the snow, then they were covered to maintain the temperature. With wood
"They made steps to go down to the lower levels. At the lowest part there was a fountain or simply a gutter to let the accumulated water out.
After the snowfall, the well was filled with snow. Inside it was crushed, as much as possible, with the feet and with wooden pillars, to turn it into
ice. This operation lasted a short time to avoid frostbite on the feet. At a certain height, more or less 1 meter, rice straw was piled up and on top again
snow. When the well was full, the snow was left to settle, covered, and monitored to prevent theft.
The ice was cut into blocks to be extracted and placed in wooden boxes wrapped with straw to avoid, as much as possible, temperature loss. As
They used animals for transportation, these were wrapped with blankets. The journey was made at night and quickly. Despite doing so, the load was reduced
coming soon. This refrigerator was for private use of the monastery.
Sieh dir die Gegend und my Wanderung im Video an: