HÓRREOS XXL
POPULAR ARCHITECTURE
This is one of the elements for which Carnota is best known, and no visitor fails to see and admire it. Both the barn of Lira and that of Carnota are owned by the Church and it is allowed to visit them at any time for free.
Its original use was to store, dry and preserve corn and other products of the land. Its design, of great beauty, is really very functional. Both barns have 22 pairs of feet to keep food away from moisture or animals and numerous horizontal slots to promote ventilation. However, with the progressive disappearance of traditional agriculture, it lost its original functionality to become decorative elements. Currently the law protects its conservation.
In the Council of Carnota, there are about 900 barns listed, but, without a doubt, those of Carnota and Lira are the most representative of the municipality, the former being recognized as a National Monument and the largest of the Noia style.
However, there has always been a certain healthy rivalry between the residents of the parishes of Lira and Carnota over which of the two barns is deserving of the "biggest" award.
Hórreo de Carnota
The Hórreo de Carnota was built in 1768, but it was in 1783 that it was extended with 11 new pairs. It is 34.76 meters long and 1.90 meters wide.
With a rectangular footprint, it has a closed chamber with horizontal rows that leave slots between them for ventilation. It has 22 pairs of feet. On one side, three doors open to access the interior and it has baroque style pinnacles. It ends in a cross sitting on a ball.
Hórreo de Lira
The Hórreo de Lira, was built between 1779 and 1814, appears elevated on a stone platform, to save the irregularity of the terrain. As Carnota’s horreo, it has 22 pairs of feet, but it is 36.53 meters long and 1.60 meters wide.
In addition to these two large horreos, there are many other examples of smaller sizes in the municipality that are sometimes grouped together, such as those of Lira (very close to the horreo of Lira), those of Noutigos, etc.
Since 2013, every summer, a great celebration of popular culture has been held in the vicinity of the Lira granary, organized by Canle de Lira Cultural Association, which generates a lot of anticipation and includes popular theater, live music and tasting of corn pies.