Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Relevance of the Green Phyllites of Lugo (Spain) in the Architectonical Heritage: an Exceptional Roofing Slate Resource

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Geoheritage Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the NW of the Iberian Peninsula, in the region of Lugo, a very exclusive Cambrian phyllite has been quarried and used for construction since prehistoric times, the Filita Verde or green phyllite. There are three varieties of this stone, all of them with the characteristic glitter of phyllites given by the metamorphic recrystallization of the phyllosilicates. Most of the architectural heritage of the area was built with this stone, which is currently being exported abroad. Its exceptional aesthetic and constructional characteristics have been historically used to build fortified settlements (Castros) by ancient pre-Roman cultures and also to construct churches and other ecclesiastic buildings during the middle age. Nowadays it is highly appreciated by architects. Because of these facts, this stone is a good candidate for the designation as a Global Stone Heritage Resource.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cárdenes V, Cnudde JP, Wichert J, Large D, López-Munguira A, Cnudde V (2016) Roofing slate standards: a critical review construction and building materials 115:93-104 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.04.042

  • Cárdenes V, Cnudde V, Cnudde JP (2015) Iberian roofing slate as a Global Heritage Stone Province Resource Episodes 38:97-105 https://doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2015/v38i2/005

  • Cárdenes V, Rubio-Ordoñez A, Monterroso C, Calleja L (2013) Geology and geochemistry of Iberian roofing slates Chemie der Erde - Geochemistry 73:373-382 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemer.2012.11.004

  • Cárdenes V, Rubio-Ordoñez A, Ruiz de Argandoña VG (2020a) Definition of roofing slate lithotypes for an international roofing slate classification key materials in engineering 848:48-57

  • Cárdenes V, Rubio-Ordoñez A, Ruiz de Argandoña VG (2020b) Roofing slate from Bernardos, Spain: a potential candidate for Global Heritage Stone episodes

  • Cárdenes V, Rubio-Ordóñez Á, Wichert J, Cnudde JP, Cnudde V (2014) Petrography of roofing slates Earth-Science Reviews 138:435-453 doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.07.003

  • CEN/TC_128 (2010) EN 12326. Slate and stone products for discontinuous roofing and cladding - Parts 1 (Product Specification) and 2 (Methods of test).

  • Compte P (1959) Recherches sur les terrains anciens de la Cordillère Cantabrique Memorias del Instituto Geológico y Minero de España 60:1-440

  • Cooper BJ (2015) The ‘Global Heritage Stone Resource’ designation: past, present and future. In: Pereira D, Marker BR, Kramar S, Cooper BJ, Schouenborg BE (eds) Global Heritage Stone: Towards International Recognition of Building and Ornamental Stones, vol 407. Geological Society Special Publication. pp 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1144/sp407.5

  • Estadística Minera de España (1911). Consejo de Minería,

  • Fettes DJ, Desmons J, Arkai P (2011) Metamorphic rocks: a classification and glossary of terms. Cambridge University Press, Recommendations of the International Union of Geological Sciences Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks

    Google Scholar 

  • García Tato I (1994) A Explotación Louxeira no Concello de Carballeda vol 16. Cuadernos Monográficos, Instituto de Estudios Valdeorreses

    Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Darriba J (2020) La arquitectura de la humildad. El convento alcantarino de San Francisco del Rosal en Mondoñedo Cuadernos de Estudios Gallegos 133:103–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias Ponce de León M (1995) L'ardoise en Espagne: Histoire et economie. Universite de Rennes 2

  • Lotze F (1958) Zur Stratigraphie des spanischen Kambriums Geologie 7:727-750

  • Pérez-García OA, Carreria XC, Carral E, Fernández ME, Mariño RA (2010) Evaluation of traditional grain store buildings (hórreos) in Galicia (NW Spain): analysis of outdoor/indoor temperature and humidity relationships. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 8:925–935

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez Pardo JC, Castiñeiras López J, Sanjurjo Sánchez J (2019) Arqueología y arquitectura de San Martiño de Mondoñedo (Foz, Lugo). Revisión crítica y nuevas aportaciones Quintana: revista do Departamento de Historia da Arte 17 https://doi.org/10.15304/qui.17.4039.

  • Walter R (1966) Resultado de investigaciones geológicas en el Noroeste de la Provincia de Lugo (NO España) Notas y Comunicaciones del Instituto Geológico y Minero de España 89:7-16

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Oviedo University, C/ Jesús Arias de Velasco s/n, 33005, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

    Victor Cárdenes & Vicente G. Ruiz de Argandoña

  2. Architectural, Civil and Aeronautical Buildings and Structures Department, Coruña University, Campus da Zapateira, 15008, A Coruña, Spain

    Santiago López-Piñeiro

Authors
  1. Victor Cárdenes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Santiago López-Piñeiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vicente G. Ruiz de Argandoña
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victor Cárdenes.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cárdenes, V., López-Piñeiro, S. & Ruiz de Argandoña, V.G. The Relevance of the Green Phyllites of Lugo (Spain) in the Architectonical Heritage: an Exceptional Roofing Slate Resource. Geoheritage 13, 11 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00537-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00537-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation