Natural state Snow houses

MALLORCA is known for its beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches, and rich history, however, the island’s highest peaks hide a unique and ancient tradition that has been preserved over the centuries.

The ‘cases de neu’ (snow houses) are structures used to store snow during the winter, a system that was in use for several centuries before the first ice factories appeared.

The ‘nevaters’ were the ones responsible for collecting and storing the snow.

According to records dating back to 1619, a group of young men would go up to the mountains, collect the snow, throw it into the well to press it and cover it with ash and reeds. This was done to preserve the ice and in the summer, it was transported to the villages by mule or cart.

The remains of some of these constructions can still be found today, located on the peaks of the mountains of Mallorca. Three of these locations, Puig d’en Galileu, Son Moragues estate in Valldemossa, and Puig Tomir, are open to visitors and can be reached by several different routes.