Chozón Museum in Ablanque

Chozón Museum

The chouzons sabineros are constructions used for livestock farming in the savin woods of the Alto Tajo and Soria. It is not known exactly how long they have been in use, but it is certain that at least since the Middle Ages Until the middle of the last century, when the last ones were built, they were a shelter for shepherds and their livestock to protect them from the inclemency of the weather.

They were usually distributed in clusters in the form of seasonal settlements. They were located on the moorlands, in privileged places with a good defensive situation (hills and mounds), water and nearby grazing areas with which to feed their cattle.

Limestone and juniper wood were the only construction materials used. To do this, the pieces of stone were skilfully placed to form a circular wall around a large central juniper tree. Next, they placed the beams and medium-sized branches radially until they formed the framework of the roof. Finally, the 'barda' (smaller branches of the juniper) was carefully placed to form a thickness of more than half a metre. The "barda" was what made the hut watertight.

The Chozón Museum of Ablanque represents a perfectly restored and cared for example of what these constructions were like, and contains complementary information that helps us to understand how they were built and used.

<< How to get there?

To get to the hut Museo de Ablanque, we have to take the asphalted track that goes from Softening Beteta Buenafuente del Sistalwe will leave behind the Roman" bridge over the Ablanquejo and once we have crossed the river we will see a path on the right hand side that climbs up to the Mirador del Cerro where the chamois. This route can be done on foot, by bike or by 4×4 car, although from the village it is a comfortable and beautiful walk of a few kilometres.

Whether or not you have visited the Museum, and have been left wanting to see and learn more about these typical constructions, remember that nearby you will find the route of the huts of AblanqueTherefore, if you want to visit several groupings of huts and see their different forms or construction techniques, there are three different branches with different distances to visit other examples, which are in all stages of conservation.