A PHOTO ESSAY . . . .
One doesn't have to visit Northern Europe or the British Isles to admire the architectural majesty of an intricately constructed thatched roof. Fine examples of the thatcher's art can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere wherever the migrating populations settled and the material was available.
Two little-known communities, one on the Portuguese Island of Madeira and one in the Asturias region of Spain, keep the tradition alive with uniquely shaped thatched roof houses.
In Santana, on the island of Madeira, there are simple triangular homes (think tiny A-frames) that represent the efficient nature of the early Madeiran farmers. The first floor was used for family shelter from the weather, with a loft above for sleeping.
The mild climate allowed for everything else to be done outside. Today, only about 150 of the little white stucco and thatched-roof houses remain, primarily in the town of Santana. Their doors, windows and shutters are painted in primary colors, reflecting the shades of the surrounding gardens. Modern additions of indoor plumbing, with kitchen and extra bedroom wings, may masque the original lines of some, but the efficient and utilitarian form still exists. A tour of one reminded me of a dollhouse, with outside patios and pools still providing most of the living space, just as the original settlers intended.
In Asturias, there is a mountaintop retreat on the Camino de Santiago (the pilgrimage to Saint James) with the most extraordinary round stone houses with thatched roofs.
One, a gift shop for the pilgrims, was open for inspection. The old wooden roof braces were clearly visible under the thatch.
The other buildings were closed, so I couldn't tell if the low dwellings were one story with loft sleeping areas, or if the exposed ceiling was used for storage.
The buildings were fascinating, a most unusual sight to stumble upon while traversing the steep mountains and deep valleys on the St. James road to Galicia.
This is the view over the Mt range down into "green" Spain, Galicia and the sea.
Richard Frisbie, FOOD Correspondent: You can read all of Richard's articles http://rfrisbie.gather.com/
or find him with the other Food Correspondents, plus celebrity chef content and plenty of other Foodies at http://foodtalk.gather.com
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Comments: 77
Those are some awesome pictures. Thank you for sharing!!!
I thoroughly enjoy your travel essays.
Don't you need a personal assistant? One you can push in a wheelchair while she carries your laptop and camera equipment?
I saw some of those roofs and round buildings in the area of Cangas de Onis near Los Picos de Europa and the mountain village of Covadonga.
fz
Thatch is a great insulator: cool in the summer, warm in the winter. Does it smell of hay?
there are beams to rest the thatch on, but there can also be a solid (but not watertight) roof covered with thatch. They have a long life span, but insects, spiders, snakes birds - anything - can get in them. I think removing them is part of the routine maintenance.
(not a thatch expert, just a thatch photographer)
Another place that stole my heart was Santillana del Mar....!
Your article was a true inspiration. For many years, not really knowing why, I've wanted to visit both Galicia and Madeira. Now I'm planning to go! I will search out your other articles and may bug you for additional info, if you don't mind.
Thank you. Your photos are exquisite!
Stephen
I would love to return someday!
SPAIN!
Thanks back atcha, John!
But after seeing your photos of the A-frames painted so brightly, I might have to change my mind. :)
Thank you so much for taking me away from my reality for only a few moments and letting me daydream about the sun smiling on my face there.
As he found, the solitude of a writing sanctuary is frequently shared.
I have a pen pal in Portugal. She has sent me a lot of pictures of her area. It's like a different world. Modern, but rustic and where a lot of tradition is preserved.
I've been asked in questionair emails (You know the kind. The one's where someone sends and email with a plethora of weird questions), "What is your favorite country?"
I feel obligated in answering, "America", since I'm an American who lives in America, but in reality, I really don't think I can honestly answer that. I've yet to see and experience every country. There are so many great countries in the world which have so much to offer and many of which are 'the best' in their own right.
Sorry for the long response. Got kinda chatty. lol
Thank you for sharing the photo's. I'm envious of anyone who has the privelege to experience other countries and their cultures. Their food, too, of course. lol ;-)
I usually just write about the food of a region, but occasionally I'll do architecture or gardening or urban planning or politics. It really confounds the "experts" when I write outside my "field". Glad you enjoyed it.