THE GALICIAN HOUSE

1.- COASTAL HOMES.- These are houses that are found in coastal villages, in the Galician rías of the provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra. They are two-story, narrow constructions having porticoes and areas on the ground floor to keep the fishing gear. The living quarters, located on the top floor, have glass balconies, wood covert-ways or stone quadrangles.
 
 
 
 
 

2.- THE HOUSES OF LUGO.- These houses are in a prismatic “block” formation, with thick walls and very few open spaces to isolate the home from the harsh climate of the fields of the interior of Galicia, in the province of Lugo. The animals and the kitchen (lareira) are located on the lower level, while the living quarters are on the top floor. They are constructed with masonry and covered with slabs of slate.
 
 
 

 
3.- THE PALLOZA.- This is the oldest vernacular construction of Galicia, found in the mountains of Lugo, in villages like Piornedo. Their origin and oval structure are usually associated with the prehistoric cabins of the Galician castros. The walls are thick and low, and the top is covered with hay. In its interior, we find the living quarters, the stables for the live-stock and the straw-loft, all helping in creating a warm climate to keep from the cold exterior.
 
 
 
 

4.- THE HOUSE OF A CORUÑA.- This is the most common rural building style in the Galician countryside. They are masonry constructions, with ashlars in the principal elements, covered with tile. They are volumetric groupings around a central kernel, in which one or two story living quarters are present. The stables, granaries, the straw-lofts and stores are all found in the joining areas. They are agricultural buildings spread throughout fertile cultivation zones.
 

Dpto. de Composición.  Universidade da Coruña.