Centenera

Centenera is easily reached from Graus. Leave Graus in northern direction towards Campo and Castejón de Sos. Turn right for La Puebla de Fantova. Once there do not enter the village, but continue straight-on towards Centenera and Abenozas. The construction is next to the road just before you cross the Barranco de la Ribera (or de Pinares). Our latest visit was on invitation of the owners who did quite a good job in removing the luxuriant vegetation, making it a much easier job for us than in 1998.

Pictures: I.1998, 08.III.2004

waterworks

harinero

aceitero

central eléctrica

(22) Interior in 1998 - a huge collection of car seats.

(23) Interior in 2004 - workplace cleaned up.

The main entrance is situated in a side wall of the mill a bit lower than street level. You'll step directly into the largest space of the construction : the flour mill annex bakery. When we were there in 1998 the place was used by someone to store a collection of car seats. The place is now cleaned up and therefore giving us a better view of the workplace.

The main room is L-shaped and houses the stone table (23) at one end and an oven (26), built with bricks, at the other end. The stairs leading to the living quarters at the fourth floor are partly hidden behind this oven. A huge torno (bolting machine) lines the wall at the left hand (22, 23). Other tornos can be seen in e.g. Castillazuelo, Javierre de Olsón.

(24) Guardapolvo.

(25) Neglected components of the milling station.

Two seats for stones are situated on a wooden table against the wall directed to the river. The stones are gone. We couldn't spot any picnic tables though. Only one of the guardapolvos is still present and the grua (crane) strong and patient stands idly waiting for things to come. Some other components and tools were scattered over the place and are now kept safe.

If you peek below the stone seats, you'll notice that you are staring in a void several meters deep and your eye will catch long iron rods, pinions, beltwheels and a turbine at the bottom.

It's obvious that this is a mill of a more recent make. In many, often smaller, mills the runner stones are directly connected with the axle of the rodete or the turbine (e.g. Yésero). The distance here between the stones and the cárcavo is far too high for a solid connection. Working with belts had the extra advantage of giving the choice between the turbine and a diesel engine to power the mill.

It's big fun (and not without risk!) to go down in the lower levels and to try to understand the meaning of the iron network.

(26) The oven - staircase leading to the living quarters.

(27) Motorized baker's trough.

(28)

The smallest door on the front of the oven carries the letters F and A on a lightning arrow followed by PATENTE - VILADOMAT 24 - BARCELONA.

The door behind the trough leads to a small room where switches of the power station were situated.