Calhau Mill, Calheta, Portinho

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Calheta > Portinho > Moinho do Calhau

Location

This old windmill is located on São Jorge Island, Azores, specifically in the coastal area of Portinho, in the municipality of Calheta. Its seaside location provides it with a natural setting of great beauty, with the Atlantic stretching to the horizon and the sea breeze shaping the surrounding landscape.

Historical and Heritage Legacy

Recognized as one of the oldest windmills on the island, the Moinho do Calhau played a crucial role in the lives of the local communities. It was here that, in ancient times, the grains harvested in the region were ground into flour, an essential food for the subsistence of the inhabitants. Its existence is a symbol of the ingenuity and resilience of the Azorean people in the face of the challenges of their geographical isolation.

The historical and cultural value of this monument is such that it is classified as a Property of Municipal Interest, a status granted by regional legislation in the year 2000, ensuring its preservation as an integral part of the Azorean heritage.

Architecture and Construction Memory

The windmill's construction used local materials, namely stone and lime mortar, giving it a solidity that has withstood the passing of centuries. Although time and the elements have led to its degradation, turning it into a set of ruins, the robust stone body that characterized its original form is still perfectly identifiable. Its presence, even in a state of abandonment, continues to evoke the memory of a laborious past and the richness of the island's built heritage.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt