Palomar de La Breña, Historic dovecote in Cortijo y Ermita de la Porquera, Barbate, Spain.
This massive dovecote structure covers 400 square meters and contains 7,770 terracotta nests arranged in parallel streets, creating a labyrinthine complex with walls reaching eleven meters in height.
Built in the 18th century as part of a hacienda that supplied ships traveling to America, the dovecote produced pigeon meat, guano for gunpowder manufacturing, and saltpeter for various industrial purposes.
The dovecote represents traditional Andalusian agricultural practices where pigeon droppings were valued as premium fertilizer and included in marriage dowries and rental contracts due to their economic importance.
Currently part of a rural hotel, the dovecote offers free guided visits by prior arrangement with staff, providing access to this Guinness World Record holding structure within La Breña Natural Park.
Recognized as the largest dovecote in the world by Guinness World Records, this roofless structure required approximately 2,500 hectares of surrounding land to sustain its maximum pigeon population during active periods.
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