Christian Corn

There is a new architectural structure all over the farms of Galicia. It took a long time to figure out what it is and and what it is for, but we were finally able to see inside one and realized it was a corn wrick (hórreo)

They are all similar in that they are rectangular, narrow and raised on a plinth. The sides are generally made of bricks to allow ventilation, but not access by rodents. Some of them are of stone, some are tiled in slate or terracotta, and some have a matting of wood slats on the sides with thatch on top. And some are throw together with whatever is lying around it seems.

this one even has bells, as if a chruch

Most of the ones we see are completely unused and neglected, despite maybe being centuries old. Corn is grown extensively, but only for animal feed. Possibly cornmeal. But no ones eats the fresh corn and it is left to dry on the cob in the field for as long as possible.

However, some are becoming appreciated anew and are rather magnificent, topped with all sorts of decorative flourishes. Our favourites have stone crosses, which may be about design, or perhaps to bless the bright yellow cobs inside.