Hórreos of Bornalle

The fact that our municipality sits at the edge of the Ría de Muros e Noia, with an important seafront sheltered by the nearby mountains, explains why until not long ago a mixed agricultural and maritime economy coexisted here — reflected in the buildings that met the needs of both activities.

There are many material elements that defined the life, work, art and popular customs of Galicia in times past, which have endured in our municipality. Among these are typical elements of Galician culture such as Hórreos (granaries). The stonemasons of our municipality have always been renowned, demonstrating their skill in the construction of these buildings. Placed in ideal locations for preserving maize and drying grain, they display a rich typological variety; although those of the "noiés" style predominate — characterised by stone construction — they coexist with others such as those of the "Fisterra" type, which are more rustic in appearance. In Muros there is even a "Morrazo"-type hórreo, unusual in the region and far from its natural area.

The hórreo, also known as a piorno, canastro, cabazo or cabaceira, is a key element in the architectural, economic and cultural context of rural Galician homes — a space used to store and protect the harvest, primarily maize.

Its construction is simple, with clearly differentiated parts. The main body is a rectangular-plan chamber of stone, set on pillars to protect the contents from rodents and animals, and to keep it as dry as possible. It has a door on one side and is very well ventilated.

It is rare to encounter groups of hórreos like this one, arranged around a threshing floor to make the most of the best orientation for drying the maize stored inside them. Very similar to one another, they follow the "Noia" type with small variations.