The Courts were used for common activities, they are predominantly square and in the middle of them are typical single stone block washbasins (pile) with an attached well. Families lives revolved around the courtyards. Each family lived in one family room, where thick walls served not only to protect them from the heat, but also to create storage (stipi) to perserve supplies and high shelves (scanzie) to allow cheeses to mature. This room, which was vital to a large family, has the ‘luxury of space’ and was made harmonious and airy by the structure of the ceiling; star-studded, dovetailed or barrelled.