THE MINYANA SMITHY
Most of the objects displayed here are from the smithy owned by the Minyana family in the street called Carrer Roques in the town of Xàbia. It seems to be have already been in operation in the early 19th century, as we know that one of the anvils was broken in 1808 during the Napoleonic War when the French troops were in Xàbia.
The "fornal" (forge) was the most important part of the smithy. Here, the iron was heated to make it easier to work. The fire was made by burning coal, which quickly burst into flames thanks to an air stream created by the blacksmith "perxant" (punting) i.e. pulling a chain connected to a "manxó" (large bellows), which acted like a large fan.
The front of the forge had two "manetes" (handles), one to regulate the passage of air and the other to allow the spent coal to fall to the ground so that the fire could be reloaded.
When the iron glowed, the smith picked it up with large "estenalles" (tongs), putting it on the "enclusa" (anvil) and hitting it repeatedly with a "mall" (hammer) until it was the desired shape.
The trade and function of the blacksmith was fundamental to traditional life. Iron was then an essential material, so they undertook all kinds of work: grilles and window bars, locks, all types of agricultural equipment, shoeing horses and donkeys, etc. Today, the traditional blacksmith has almost disappeared, having been replaced and transformed by new techniques and requirements.
The "fornal" (forge) was the most important part of the smithy. Here, the iron was heated to make it easier to work. The fire was made by burning coal, which quickly burst into flames thanks to an air stream created by the blacksmith "perxant" (punting) i.e. pulling a chain connected to a "manxó" (large bellows), which acted like a large fan.
The front of the forge had two "manetes" (handles), one to regulate the passage of air and the other to allow the spent coal to fall to the ground so that the fire could be reloaded.
When the iron glowed, the smith picked it up with large "estenalles" (tongs), putting it on the "enclusa" (anvil) and hitting it repeatedly with a "mall" (hammer) until it was the desired shape.
The trade and function of the blacksmith was fundamental to traditional life. Iron was then an essential material, so they undertook all kinds of work: grilles and window bars, locks, all types of agricultural equipment, shoeing horses and donkeys, etc. Today, the traditional blacksmith has almost disappeared, having been replaced and transformed by new techniques and requirements.
