Lime. That’s what Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra was all about. Lime production was a prosperous economic activity in the Serra de Tramuntana. This was due to the abundance of limestone. Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra helped meet that need.
Lime was essential for various purposes. Construction relied on it. Medicine used it. It aided hygiene. Lime provided thermal insulation. It disinfected cisterns. To produce lime, kilns like Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra were built. They were built on slopes to ease loading. This also prevented rainwater accumulation.
These kilns usually featured a large circular pit. This pit was lined with a thick dry stone wall. We don’t know exactly when Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra was built. We also don’t know when it was used. It likely supplied lime to the nearby Mas Sauró. In the past, lime was vital for daily life.
But, lime kilns like Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra had a lifespan. They were built on calcareous terrain. They slowly deteriorated with each firing. About two centimeters of the walls were lost each time. Eventually, they became unusable. New kilns were then constructed.
If Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra only served the farmhouse, it might have operated just once a year. However, those involved needed expertise. They had to carefully arrange stones, wood, and clay. Controlling the fire was crucial. A good firing was essential. Knowing when the lime was ready took skill. The process took ten days to two weeks.
Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra likely predates the mid-19th century. After that, kilns became more industrial. They started using coal. Although lime use increased, kilns were abandoned by the mid-20th century. New materials replaced lime.
Near Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra, you can see a limestone quarry. This quarry was probably used by the kiln. Quarries were usually nearby. The stones were heavy. Animals pulled carts to transport them.
So, as you stand before Forn de calç del torrent de Son Serra remember its story. It is a story of necessity, skill, and the changing tides of industry. It is a reminder of how essential simple materials once were.