Rural heritage
We identify, preserve, restore and share the traditional buildings of our landscape.
Dry stone
Building without mortar is one of the oldest construction techniques in the Mediterranean. In La Mancha it produced cucos, chozos and stone piles, raised with the stones cleared from ploughed fields.
What we do
- Inventory: locate and document the cucos of the region.
- Restore: recover endangered structures using the traditional technique.
- Share: walks, talks and gatherings so heritage is known and cared for.
Understanding a cuco
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( 01 )
Cuco
Dry-stone hut with a round or square plan and a corbelled dome, built in La Mancha as a shelter for shepherds and farmers.
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( 02 )
Corbelled dome
Roof closed by stepping each course of stone slightly inward over the one below until they meet at the top.
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( 03 )
Dry stone
Building technique that fits stones together without mortar, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cuco?
A dry-stone shelter with a round or square plan and a corbelled dome, built without mortar by shepherds and farmers of La Mancha using stones cleared from the fields.