Lamiana

Lamiana is hidden in the valley of the Río Yaga. From L'Ainsa drive north until you find the Dolmen de Tella signposted. Take the narrow winding road, pass Cortalaviña and the hair-pins and then left towards Revilla. You'll now pass Arinzue and then reach Lamiana where you can drop the car near the restaurant. From there a path leaves to the Cueva de los Arnales where the mill is situated. If needed ask directions in the bar.

All pictures: 10.III.2005

(1) Cueva de los Arnales

This valley counts several mills. They must all have been abandoned a long time ago. They aren't mentioned on the usually very mill-loving hiking maps and what's left of them isn't readily recognized as a former mill. But still some - like this mill of Lamiana - are really worth a visit if only to enjoy the marvellous mountainscape.

The mill was built leaning against the cliffwall (red arrow in pict. 2; the same tree is visible on pict. 1-3). Only the waterworks are preserved and although the abuelo of the bar vehemently stated that the stones still should be out there, I couldn't find any trace of them.

(2) Mill in the landscape

(3) Backwall of former workspace

(4) Workfloor is roof of cárcavo

The mill of Lamiana taps its water directly from the cave (5). A supply channel which for many mills was often a costly but unavoidable burden, was not needed. A dam was built in the mouth of the cave (7). The whole cave could thus serve as a reservoir. At the eastern end is an opening (white arrow in 6) draining into the cubo (blue arrow). A row of stones (visible in 5-7) guides the water to this opening.

The purpose of a cubo is to build up pressure and that's why they were made as deep as possible (e.g. Centenera, Nueno, Las Bellostas or Morana). This one could keep an impressive amount of water. From the top of the dam (6, 7) down to the workfloor (3) and then down to the wheel in the cárcavo (4, 10) easily makes for a water column of about 4 m.

(5) Cave with water trickle

(6) Inlet of cubo

(7) Dam closing the cave

The cubo is a real piece of craftmanship and very solidly built. We appreciate the nice masonry (8, 9). The short side is part of the back wall of the workspace. The wall at the left (8) is built against the rock and the other wall is built as an arch (most obvious in 9) for strength. We have seen other fine arches in the mills of Samper and Lecina.

The cárcavo (10, 11) is also a nice piece of work, still quite solid and opening with a double arch. The cárcavo is empty, no wheel, no botana, nothing. It's as if everything was taken away.