Cava de Sant Blai

The Cava de Sant Blai is a snow well dug into the ground, built on a cylindrical plan, where ice was stored for centuries to supply much of the surrounding region. It's in the Sierra de Mariola beside Bocairent, one of the best-preserved ice wells in the whole range, and entry is free.

History

Before industrial refrigeration arrived, snow was a precious resource. Through the winter it was packed down inside these large pits, layered with straw or vegetation, and there it slowly turned into ice. In summer it was cut into blocks and carried by night on pack animals down to the towns, where it was used to preserve food and to make cold drinks and ices. The cool, humid Sierra de Mariola held a good number of these snow wells, and the Cava de Sant Blai stands as a witness to that vanished trade.

What to see

The structure keeps the circular plan typical of these stores, partly dug into the hillside to make the most of the natural insulation. Its good state of preservation makes it easy to picture how the ice was once kept here.

Tips for your visit

• Entry is free, and the natural surroundings are part of the appeal.
• Wear comfortable footwear: it sits up in the mountains.
• Combine it with a stroll through the medieval quarter of Bocairent.