Barraca del Tío Aranda

It is the oldest surviving barraca in the whole Valencian Community: an 18th-century building that shares the highest level of heritage protection with La Lonja and Valencia Cathedral. The Barraca del Tío Aranda stands in El Palmar, inside l'Albufera natural park, a quarter of an hour from the city.

The restoration

Architects Fernando Vegas and Camilla Mileto rehabilitated it over four years using traditional techniques and materials: reed and borró for the roof frame, adobe for the walls, rushes from the lake itself. It reopened in September 2023 and recovered the rounded rear culata, possibly the only one still standing on a barraca. The work was shortlisted for the international Materia Award.

For your visit

• Inside, you can see how people once lived in an Albufera barraca: the kitchen, the loft and the timber-and-cane frame.
• Entry is paid and opening hours are limited, so check them before you go.
• Pair it with the Plaza de la Sequiota and a rice dish at one of the village's restaurants.