It is surely the main rustic building of civil character due to its historical importance. Located 2 kilometres from the crossroads of the roads to Cazalla de la Sierra and San Nicolás del Puerto (A-455), the building consists of a large hall, divided into three naves by two series of semicircular arches.
Two more naves remain: the two wells where the snow was kept, which were vaulted in 1760-1761. Until the beginning of the century, there was a room dedicated to the chapel of the Virgen de las Nieves. The façade has the appearance of a religious building as it consists of a gable with classical elements and a belfry. On the façade there is a coat of arms of Seville, dated 1696, as these wells traditionally belonged to that city, as can be seen on a tombstone that tells how during the reign of Charles II these wells were purchased with their pools and water (1684), a privilege was obtained from HM to store snow (1694) and work was ordered (1699).
The ice that was naturally produced and kept in its wells was transported by animals during the night and sold in Seville, and the surplus was taken to neighbouring villages at a lower price. The municipality had a cold store for this purpose, which served as a depot, the ice being well covered with straw. The chronicles of the time say that this was used to supply the Communities, the Tobacco Factory, etc., and private individuals who bought more than a quarter of an arroba. The rest had to buy ice from street stalls.
This building, now privately owned, has been restored as rural accommodation with great respect for its original style and tradition, which has recently earned it a special mention at European level (2006), for its contribution to the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, as well as the Heritage Conservation Prize, awarded by the City Council of Constantina (28 February 2007).
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