Tahona and the Interpretation Centre
The building that houses this Interpretation Centre originally served as the pósito, the municipal grain store of Villanueva Mesía, and later became the town’s flour mill.
In 1580, King Felipe II promoted the creation of these grain stores throughout Spain to help stabilise grain supplies and prevent famine during years of scarce harvests. The grain held in the pósito could be distributed or loaned to local farmers and residents when crops failed, making it an essential institution in agricultural communities such as Villanueva Mesía. The importance of the pósitos was reflected in their security. Three different people, called ‘key-keepers’, guarded the reserve, each holding a separate key so the door could not be opened unless all three custodians were present. On the building's original door, you can still see the three locks that required all three keys.
In later years, the pósito was converted into a flour mill and bakery, becoming known locally as La Tahona (bakery) and belonging to several local families, including the Palacios family, Pedro Cuevas Baena and Francisco Moreno Mercado, whose heirs retained the property until its restoration and conversion into the present-day interpretation centre.
Located on Calle Posito.