The Craft of the ‘Paredador’: Dry-Stone Walls in Menorca

In Menorca, dry-stone walls (known locally as pedreres or parets de tàpia) form a continuous network that structures farmland, outlines paths and runs along the Camí de Cavalls route. Built entirely from local stones fitted together without mortar, these structures are the result of a craft that combines balance, the careful selection of materials and respect for the terrain. Beyond their functional purpose, these walls reflect both a tangible and intangible cultural heritage that comprises the landscape, traditional techniques and collective memory. Their presence here not only gives structure to farmland, but also helps to control erosion, channel water and provide shelter for plants and wildlife typically found in dry and rocky environments.

In this video of the Vigies del Passat series, we meet Joan Carles Bargur, a paredador from Menorca who works with this traditional technique. Through his story and daily work, the video brings us closer to the construction and restoration of dry-stone walls, showing how this ancestral trade remains essential to the preservation of a heritage built over centuries. The piece also explores how these elements define the surroundings of the Camí de Cavalls and why its conservation is crucial to Menorca’s cultural and rural identity.