The Arab Ice House of Medinaceli: A Journey to the Origins of Domestic Refrigeration

Amidst the multicultural aspects of an ancient city, established since time immemorial as an irresistible beacon halfway between Castile and Aragon, Medinaceli, a city that still preserves its incredible Roman arch from centuries contemporary with Jesus Christ, maintains, almost intact, another of those functional elements from the medieval era. Although it often goes unnoticed among the hordes of visitors it receives annually, it offers us a romantic glimpse into the origins of the great inventions that are now irreplaceable in our homes.

One of the essential elements in a home is the refrigerator, and its medieval origins, centuries before electricity invaded our homes, leading to a dependence that undoubtedly serves as a geopolitical weapon today, were the ancient ice houses: enormous holes in the ground, covered with a carefully crafted dome of various materials and placed in the coldest and most desolate part of old medieval cities, which preserved the ice from heavy snowfalls practically year-round.

This offered medieval societies the possibility of keeping their food as fresh as possible, also generating a thriving business, to the point that the sale of ice remains a constant, both in large commercial establishments and in any of the countless gas stations located along almost every road.

Therefore, in the Arab icehouse of Medinaceli—that beautiful city, among whose most vivid legends is the mysterious tradition that claims it possesses a priceless treasure, such as the famous Table of Solomon, and where it is also said that the leader Almanzor, the scourge of the Christian kingdoms in that apocalyptic era preceding the dreaded year 1000, is buried—we have one of those traditional elements that evolved throughout history. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is that, centuries after its construction, it remains in perfect working order.

These are romantic elements, in essence, that also enrich our travels, regardless of the reasons that bring us to this city, prompting us to reflect on that other fascinating and transcendental question: knowing who we are and where we come from.

NOTICE: Both the text and the accompanying photographs are my exclusive intellectual property and are therefore subject to my copyright.