The bread oven of Torre de Arcas

The old oven of Torre de Arcas was communally owned, following a widespread model that originated in the medieval period. At that time, the construction and management of the oven were a lord's right, meaning that bread-baking could not be carried out privately. In this way, the baker responsible for baking the bread was appointed by the town hall, but the preparation of the dough itself was the responsibility of each family, generally undertaken by the women. Each family would usually knead the dough at home and then take it to the communal oven to be shaped and baked.

Each family of 5 or 6 members consumed around 30 loaves every two weeks, and the firewood used was also provided by the users.

The construction of the current oven possibly dates from the 18th or 19th century, although it is likely that another oven existed previously in the same location. The building is rectangular in shape and has two diaphragm arches. The original floor of the oven is paved with stone. The oven vault is a lowered barrel vault, protected on the outside by a layer of earth. The current doors, made of cast iron, were added later in relation to the rest of the structure. Each baking session, which usually lasted around an hour, produced approximately 150 loaves.

Until the early 1980s (20th century), the oven was used occasionally, generally when large quantities of bread needed to be baked, such as for festivities. In the late 1990s (20th century), the building was restored and given over to cultural and tourist uses, including an exhibition on its history and operation. During the Cultural Week (the first fortnight of August), it is put back into use to bake pastries, and a communal dinner is held in which the oven facilities are used.