The town council oven of Fuentespalda

The old town council oven of Fuentespalda is a historic building of which only the oven itself and the entrance arcade now survive. This oven, whose existence can be traced back to documents from the 14th century, played a crucial role in the life of the village. During the Middle Ages, the construction and operation of ovens was usually a right of the feudal lord. In this case, that right belonged to the archbishopric of Zaragoza, as attested by the coat of arms that can still be seen today on the preserved entrance arcade.

At that time, one person was in charge of operating the oven, and their compensation could vary considerably. For example, they could be granted one loaf for every thirty baked — a system that ensured their livelihood. They could also obtain an additional income from bread sales through a regulated increase in the price of flour. Quality control, both in the sale and production of bread, was strictly regulated by law. This involved the strict obligation to use good-quality flour and maintain a fair proportion in weight, guaranteeing an equitable return on the sale of the final product.