Origin and history

The pallozas are circular stone structures with a conical roof of rye straw tailored to the needs of the occupants and to the environment. There is a constant temperature inside (between 15 and 18 degrees), thanks to the half metre layer of thick straw that keeps the roof waterproof and insulated. The building is divided according to the needs of the familiy and is built using local materials.

The covering (roof) is of rye straw (thatch), which is called colmot when prepared for roofing. Every year a small area of the roof has to be re-thatched for easier maintenance and to prevent the deterioration of the roof as well as to keep out the rain. Smoke from the kitchen plays an important role in keeping the house dry as it accumulates at the top (there is no fireplace) and slowly emerges through the straw thus removing damp and moisture; it also protects the wooden beams from woodworm as one layer of soot after another adhers to the timber. It also stops mice from making their nest in the roof, etc.

Items exhibited have not been collected as such; The tools on show in the museum belonged to the house and in every house there were many tools for different jobs and this ensured autarchy, while at the same time the whole family was kept busy with various chores.
This is currently the only palloza which can be visited and which maintains its internal structure without having made any modifications or alterations. It should be noted that the layout of all dwellings was very similar: the kitchen in the middle, a stable for cows in lower part (using the uneven ground), a large hall-area called talus, stables for small animals, a bedroom (there might be more than one in the wealthier homes), oven , etc...

We now call these dwelling places pallozas but this is an imported term; when they no longer became our home, we began to speak of them as “So-and-so’s old house” This is rather an endearing name for a construction that afforded us shelter and warmth throughout several centuries.