Carnota and Lira Horreos

The hórreos are one of the most genuine traditional constructions of Galicia and very especially of Carnota in whose municipality more than 884 hórreos can be counted, although special mention should be made of the hórreos of Lira and Carnota both for their dimensions and for belonging to the Church. Its original use was to store, dry and preserve the corn and other products of the land, for it stored the grain so that being raised on pillars kept food away from moisture or animals making the slots ventilation functions. However, with the progressive disappearance of traditional agriculture, their original function was lost and they became decorative elements. Nowadays the law protects their conservation.

The Hórreo de Carnota, declared a National Monument, was built in 1768, but it was in 1783 when it was extended with new pairs of feet. It is 34.76 meters long and 1.90 meters wide and has 22 pairs of feet. There has always been a certain healthy rivalry between the neighbors of the parishes of Lira and Carnota over which of the two hórreos is worthy of the "largest" award. The Church of Santa Comba de Carnota, built in 1755, is of classicist baroque style. The main altar is presided over by a beautiful altarpiece, the work of the sculptor José Ferreiro. The church and the hórreo, together with the rectory and the dovecote, form an architectural ensemble of unquestionable beauty.

The Hórreo de Lira was built between 1779 and 1814 by the architect Gregorio Quintela, on a stone platform, in order to save the unevenness of the terrain. Like the one in Carnota, it has 22 pairs of feet but is 36.53 meters long and 1.60 meters wide. There has always been a certain healthy rivalry between the neighbors of the parishes of Lira and Carnota about which of the two hórreos is worthy of the "biggest" award. Since 2013, every summer, a great celebration of popular culture is held in the vicinity of the hórreo, organized by the Canal de Lira Cultural Association, which generates a lot of expectation.