![AVARCAS](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/AVARCAS.JPG)
The avarca (, plural ) is a type of sandal popular in the
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands ( es, Islas Baleares ; or ca, Illes Balears ) are an archipelago in the Balearic Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The archipelago is an autonomous community and a province of Spain; its capital is ...
(Spain), especially
Menorca
Menorca or Minorca (from la, Insula Minor, , smaller island, later ''Minorica'') is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. Its name derives from its size, contrasting it with nearby Majorca. Its capi ...
. The shoes are made using a leather upper and a rubber sole. Avarca is a traditional sandal originally developed in Menorca in the Balearic Islands. They were originally made from a leather upper and with the sole made from a recycled car
tyre. Nowadays however the soles are made in the style of a car tire but from a purpose made mould. These are hard wearing and much lighter in weight than the original car tire sole. Only original avarca manufacturers are granted with the label "Avarca de Menorca". This label is granted by local Government and guarantees that avarcas accomplishes minimum quality standards and avarcas are really manufactured in Menorca island.
See also
*
Abarka
The abarka (Basque), abarca or albarca (Spanish) is the traditional footwear in Pyrenees.
This sandal made in one piece of calf leather is tied by braided wool laces around the socks.
Note however that in Cantabria, ''abarca'' is used for a woo ...
, a sandal from the
Basque country.
References
Sandals
Culture of Menorca
Folk footwear
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