Study of the dovecotes as a characteristic element of the traditional architecture of La Mancha, Spain

Abstract

The dovecote is a space present in every farmhouse in this region, dedicated to the breeding of pigeons and integrated, more or less clearly, in the garrets of residential buildings and/or their annexes. There are also examples of isolated dovecotes of a singular character, that show the enormous relevance of this activity in the past, as well as its importance in shaping the image of villages in rural areas. Unfortunately, this type of building inevitably falls into disrepair, once it has lost its function and lacks maintenance. This way, the last vestiges and testimonies of this complementary activity to agriculture are being lost. This article is aimed at presenting the results of the analysis of more than 50 buildings of this kind, and describing their current situation and their diverse types, which are linked to the influence of local customs and the use of local resources in their construction.