Ice wells are structures dug into the ground in areas where ice or snow was readily available. These pits were filled with snow or ice so that it could be preserved and used throughout the rest of the year. The upper section was enclosed by a vaulted roof with openings through which the snow or ice could be inserted and removed. Some wells also had a lower entrance to facilitate its removal. The El Sobirà Snow Well dates from the 17th or 18th century and is associated with the snow trade that existed at the time. It belonged to the El Sobirà farmhouse, although the documents concerning its chronology were lost in a fire.
The well consists of a partially underground cylindrical chamber covered by a hemispherical vault. It measures eight metres in diameter and eleven metres in height from ground level. It has two openings at different heights, facing north and south, and walls approximately 80 centimetres thick.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: access to the snow well is at your own risk. Please remember that this is an old structure and that there is a risk of falls and falling debris.
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Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU
Local Development and Employment Officer (AODL) within the new tourism management model for La Selva. Initiative subsidised by the Public Employment Service of Catalonia as part of the Local Development Support Programmes.
