Heritage · Cuenca
Former Valdecabras tileworks
The former Valdecabras tileworks stands beside the river, on the approximately 9 km itinerary following the valley from this hamlet of Cuenca. It was a small complex where clay was extracted, kneaded with water, moulded, air-dried and fired for several days in the kiln to make tiles and bricks for mountain architecture.
- Municipality
- Cuenca
- Tileworks
- Valdecabras
- Trades
- Vernacular architecture
From clay to roof
In the Valdecabras river valley, upstream of the hamlet belonging to Cuenca, are the remains of a tileworks. More than a kiln, it was a small workshop where clay was extracted, cleaned and kneaded with water, pieces were shaped in wooden moulds, left to air-dry and fired for several days in the kiln, the tileworks’ heart, while watching the fire. This supplied tiles for mountain houses.
The Natural Park guide lists tileworks alongside lime kilns and pegueras, pitch kilns, among remains of trades using woodland resources.
Plan your visit
Before you travel
These are countryside ruins: do not climb the walls.
Combine with
Collado de la Nava and the Las Marimorenas viewpoints, on the same itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How did a tileworks operate?
Clay was extracted, cleaned and mixed with water to form a paste, shaped in wooden moulds, air-dried and fired in the kiln for several days while monitoring the temperature.
Carry on from here
Lands and landscapes
From here, follow the memory of the land
These readings connect Former Valdecabras tileworks with the stories, the work and the villages around it.
- Serranía MediaZone of the Serranía →
- Complejo Lagunar del río Moscas micro-reserveProtected area in the municipality →
- Cueva de los Morceguillos micro-reserveProtected area in the municipality →
- Nacimiento del río Cuervo Natural MonumentProtected area in the municipality →
- Palancares y Tierra Muerta Natural MonumentProtected area in the municipality →
- Serranía de Cuenca Natural ParkProtected area in the municipality →
- Serranía de Cuenca SAC and SPA (ES4230014)Protected area in the municipality →
Where it is
Where the data on this page come from
- Name
- Cadena SER Cuenca; Asociación Cultural CuenCANP source consulted, 5 October 2026
- Municipality (INE code)
- Cadena SER Cuenca; Asociación Cultural CuenCANP source consulted, 5 October 2026
«Source consulted»: the primary source has been read. «Reference located»: the source has been identified but not yet read. «Open question»: the figure needs confirmation.