Penacova Smithy

In 1880 it was purchased by a group of blacksmiths who were already working there. The last worker at the smithy was Benito Valcárcel, the great-great-grandfather of the current generation. After purchasing the ruins of the smithy and taking advantage of its solid structure, a new enterprise was built: a forge. Blacksmiths came from the surrounding area to Penacova to work iron and make the tools that were used at the time: farm implements, nails and domestic utensils.

The forge functioned until the middle of the 20th century when a new technical advance reached the area: electricity. Now that they had electricity, the blacksmiths set up electric hammers and bellows on their own premises, making the water-powered trip hammer out of date, again. Santiago Valcárcel then built a grinding mill, which differed from the rest by charging by the amount ground. A fee was paid for each measure of grain that was milled. To make it operate, he used the stones that had once formed the walls of the smithy, and with them he built the mill dam. By diverting the water that was retained along a channel to the pond, he had the force that would move the machinery of one of the most profitable enterprises of the age.

500 metres up river, after asking for permission to cross what is private property, visitors can see the artificial dam that diverted the water. A wall of vertical stones directs the water from the stream into the pond along a channel cut into the rock.

The Valcárcel family are still the owners. It is because of them that it is so well preserved. The smithy house is now a farmhouse.