Washhouse

In Cabezabellosa there are two beautiful examples of covered public washhouses – one to the north on the Camino de los Molinos with beautiful arcades from the middle of the 20th century, and the other to the south on the road to Plasencia with its traditional wooden structure which dates from the 17th century.

These sociable neighbourhood washhouses were not only places to do laundry, they also served as fountains where fresh water could be collected. Various spouts filled the pools with water, the surplus of which was used to irrigate the nearby vegetable gardens and orchards. The use of carved granite in these public facilities is interesting.

These sociable neighbourhood washhouses were not only places to do laundry, they also served as fountains where fresh water could be collected. Various spouts filled the pools with water, the surplus of which was used to irrigate the nearby vegetable gardens and orchards. The use of carved granite in these public facilities is interesting.