In Galicia, honey is highly valued, as the bees find the perfect conditions to produce it in the south-western mountain ranges of Lugo and Ourense, giving rise to one of the most highly prized honeys in Europe, some of which even have a designation of origin.
In the past, obtaining this precious product was no easy task. Effort was required both to keep the bees active and to protect the apiaries from bears. Although today we might consider the reduction of the bear population as a solution, our ancestors chose to live naturally with them. To avoid conflict, they built rounded walls around the apiaries, known as "alvarizas".
These alvarizas were initially created with the fundamental purpose of protecting the hives from bear attacks, although they were also used in A Costa da Morte to protect them from inclement weather. There are currently around 1,000 alvarizas in Galicia, distributed in specific locations such as Os Ancares, O Courel, Quiroga, Ourense, Ribeira Sacra, Lalín and the Costa da Morte area.
Unfortunately, many alvarizas are in poor condition or have been destroyed by vegetation, despite the fact that they are considered a European World Heritage Site. These unique constructions are up to six or seven metres high in some cases, with walls between 30 and 90 centimetres thick and overhanging at the top.
Furthermore, it is important to note that since the Middle Ages, beehives were mainly used for wax production, which was the predominant lighting system before the advent of electricity. Many alvarizas were owned and run by monasteries, being direct beneficiaries of the resources provided by the bees.
Although alvarizas are not exclusive to Galicia, this community is home to a large number of them. Similar constructions can be found from Galicia to Greece along an uninterrupted strip. In Galicia, the alvarizas in the area of A Costa da Morte stand out, unique for having been created specifically to face adverse weather conditions.
This heritage is highly valued internationally and it is important that it is known and revalued by the Galicians.
