Friedrich Bramsteidl, the master blacksmith keeping the craft alive in Asturias

Friedrich Bramsteidl, known as Fritz, was born in Austria in 1961 into a family with a seven-generation tradition in the art of blacksmithing. He began learning the trade as a child alongside his father and other master blacksmiths. He studied metalwork at a vocational school in Austria and completed a master blacksmith course in 1988..

“I was born in a forge, and from a young age, I had the privilege of being in my father’s workshop, which had also belonged to my grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. I was immersed in the craft from early on, and my main teacher was my father. When he passed away, while I was living in Galicia, I realized that this trade is his legacy. I’ve been working as a blacksmith for 31 years—it’s my life” says Friedrich.

He moved to Spain in search of new professional opportunities. After spending some time in Andalusia, he settled in Galicia, a region that reminded him of his home country. In 2001, he opened his first blacksmith workshop in Bande (Ourense), where he also taught introductory courses in traditional blacksmithing.

In 2006, he was offered the chance to take over an 18th-century forge—the ethnographic complex of the Mazo de Mazonovo in Santa Eulalia de Oscos, Asturias—which he gladly accepted. Between 2007 and 2008, he participated in training courses to recover traditional techniques with several local masters and, in 2013, completed a course in ergonomic forging with Israeli master Uri Hofi in Barcelona.

For 18 years, he has been at the helm of this traditional forge, currently the only one of its kind still operating in Spain. Through immense effort, he has managed to keep its hydraulic hammer functional, making it a central feature of his workshop. He also trains a group of young apprentices and offers demonstrations to visiting audiences.

Since 2014, Friedrich and his team have carried out numerous forging projects—both new works and restorations—in significant heritage buildings across Asturias. Notable projects include:
• The gate for the entrance of the Mazo de Mazonovo
• Participation in the 2007 restoration of the hammer at Os Teixois in Taramundi
• Leading the construction of the hydraulic installations (hammer and bellows) in the 2011 reconstruction of the Ferrería de Santa Eufemia in Villanueva de Oscos
• Repairing the Mazo de Besullo in Cangas del Narcea in 2016
• Creating hardware (hinges and bolts) and restoring and adapting railings at the Palacio de Santa Cruz in Castropol
• Forging hardware and railings at the Palacio de Trenor in Figueras and the Torres de Donlebún in Barres

He carries out a wide range of projects using traditional blacksmithing techniques, including various types of hardware: hinges, bolts, latches, handles, and locks, as well as stair railings and different kinds of window grilles. He also designs and builds several models of chairs and lamps.

The Iron Council (El Consejo del Hierro).
In 2001, Friedrich Bramsteidl and José Ortiz saw the need to organize an event that would bring together blacksmiths. A few years later, the first meeting of these professionals took place in A Fonsagrada (Lugo). Since then, blacksmiths have gathered to connect and share knowledge, alternating between Galicia and Asturias, particularly in Taramundi and now in Santa Eulalia de Oscos. The events also attract professionals from Russia, Germany, and France. To facilitate these gatherings, they created El Consejo del Hierro, an association chaired by Fritz that brings together blacksmiths from across Spain.

Traditional Building Cultures Foundation

The Fundación Culturas Constructivas Tradicionales aims to promote and support the study, protection, teaching, dissemination, and conservation of traditional building, architecture, and urbanism practices specific to various regions of the world.

Recently established but with a solid track record, the foundation was created to reinforce, continue, and expand a series of initiatives launched since 2012 in Spain and Portugal with the support of American philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus.

The foundation’s initiatives seek to uphold the mastery that has allowed us to design, build, and preserve the places we most admire. To that end, it organizes awards, competitions, scholarships, publications, exhibitions, conferences, gatherings, and training programs, among many other activities.

The Building Arts Awards are organized by the Fundación Culturas Constructivas Tradicionales in collaboration with INTBAU Spain, the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport through the Directorate General of Fine Arts, and the Higher Council of Architects’ Associations of Spain.

Source: Fundación Culturas Constructivas Tradicionales.

Project by Friedrich Bramsteidl