Fixed stone mill in Calheta, Canada da Saudade.

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Calheta > Ribeira Seca > Canada da Saudade

Location

This windmill is located on the island of São Jorge, within the locality of Ribeira Seca, which belongs to the municipality of Calheta. It is specifically situated in an area known as Canada da Saudade. This area is typically rural, with the windmill positioned at a point that may offer perspectives on the surrounding landscape.

Characteristic Architecture

This is a fixed stone windmill, meaning its base structure, the tower, is built of robust masonry. The designation "fixed" distinguishes it from rotating windmills, indicating that only the upper part, where the sails are, rotates to orient itself according to the wind direction. This type of construction is representative of traditional local engineering adapted to the conditions of the Azores.

Witness to Rural History

Fixed windmills like this one are significant elements of São Jorge's rural heritage and economic history. They were used to grind cereals, mainly corn and wheat, which were the staple diet locally. Their presence in the landscape evokes times when reliance on natural resources, such as wind, was fundamental for the sustenance of communities and for the island's traditional agricultural activities.

Environment and Landscape

The windmill's location in Canada da Saudade suggests an atmosphere of calm and tranquility, typical of the island's more isolated areas. The rural surroundings, punctuated by the presence of fields and the characteristic vegetation of São Jorge, offer a serene setting around the stone structure. The place invites a pause to appreciate the construction and the landscape that frames it.

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