From classical Arabic dukkān to Hispanic Arabic addukkín or addukkán and then to our language as a paving stone, this concept of cobble refers to a stone that is given a rectangular shape so that it can be used in the development of cobblestones. Paving stones are often used in paving streets.
Generally, granite is chosen for the creation of the paving stones. These stones are easy to work with and are also very resistant. It is common for small pavers to be created so that they can be manipulated with one hand.
The first cobblestones, in ancient times, were developed with natural stones, lacking carving. With the aim of facilitating movements, the Romans began to carve the stones and thus, more than two thousand years ago, the cobblestones emerged.
Until the nineteenth century, we can determine that it was used on a massive scale in large cities, until military and social needs led to it falling into disuse. However, that does not prevent that, at present, there are many streets that have maintained their cobblestone floor and that, thanks to it, have an undeniable value.
Thus, for example, the surroundings of the Mosque of Córdoba are made of cobblestones and the same is also true of some of the most emblematic areas of the historic center of Seville.
For a long time, most of the roads of the cities were covered with cobblestones. From the mass of automobiles, the cobblestone paving began to give way to paving with asphalt, more favorable for the circulation of vehicles.
By analogy to these rectangular stones, large sweets that are popular in Spain are called cobblestones. The cobblestone of the Pilar, for example, is a traditional Zaragoza candy that can weigh up to half a kilogram and whose packaging exhibits the figure of the Virgen del Pilar.
It is precisely important to know that within the field of cycling there is a relevant cobblestone race that responds to the name of Paris Roubaix. It is one of the most significant in this regard and precisely the athletes who participate do so with the clear objective of being able to take the golden cobblestone, which comes to be the most important prize.
This year 2017 this test reaches its 115th edition and it does so with important cyclists who will participate to obtain the victory. We are referring to both Belgian Greg Van Avermaet and Slovak Peter Sagan. That without forgetting that it will consist of a total of 257 kilometers, which will run through a total of 29 sections of paving stones.
However, a small children’s candy with the shape of the aforementioned construction element that can be found mainly with licorice flavor and in two colors: black or red, is also called cobblestone.
Finally, in the colloquial language of various regions, the illiterate, rough, or awkwardly behaved subject is called a cobblestone: “Don’t waste time explaining the equations to José: he’s a cobblestone. ”
