The huts of the Rocío-Doñana (Spain): Built heritage: analysis, conservation and maintenance

Abstract

The El Rocío settlement is a site that originally arose as a religious pilgrimage destination in the 16th century. It lies in an area of high environmental value in the current Doñana National Park in the southern Iberian Peninsula. The transformation of these temporary shepherds’ shelters into an established, inhabited site occurred in the 19th century. These huts are built of local vegetation and earth, and have been barely modified to the present day. There are few remaining traditional dwellings in this style, which is why they need strong legal protection and continual maintenance. This work addresses the heritage value of this type of buildings, their relation with traditions and customs, and their influence on the urban landscape. The most notable building components were analysed with the aim of providing ideas and insights for improved conservation, considering that the ethnographic interest transcends the strictly building interest. In addition, the changes in construction style of the different hut types are analysed, cataloguing the remaining huts, the need for legal protection, and the maintenance work required.