Dry Stone: Living Architecture of the Rural Landscape

In Mallorca, dry stone is a building method that emerged in response to the local materials available and the need to structure the land for agricultural and grazing purposes. Dry stone walls stabilise terraces, define farm boundaries, support paths and transform slopes into arable land, blending in with the landscape of the Tramuntana Mountains and other rural areas. This technique, renowned internationally and recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage for its importance in various regions worldwide, is based on the careful selection and arrangement of stones to achieve stable structures without the use of mortar or cement.

In this video of the Vigies del Passat series, we meet Marc Alba, a master craftsman specialising in the construction and restoration of dry-stone walls. In addition to his work on the ground, Alba plays a key role in spreading the craft, offering courses and practical training to teach this traditional technique to new generations. Through his experience, the video shows not only how these walls are built, but also the importance of sharing knowledge to ensure the survival of an ancestral technique that continues to shape the Mallorcan landscape.