Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill
District: Açores > Velas > Ribeira do Nabo > Canada do Manuel Trapim
Located in the parish of Ribeira do Nabo, in the municipality of Velas, this windmill is situated in the picturesque Canada do Manuel Trapim, on the idyllic island of São Jorge, in the Azores. Its position, typical of structures designed to harness the force of dominant winds, offers a serene and rural setting.
The surrounding environment is characterized by the island's verdant landscape, where the windmill stands as a discreet landmark, allowing visitors to enjoy the quietude and natural beauty of the archipelago, with the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean in the background.
This windmill is notable for its predominantly wooden construction, a characteristic that reflects the traditional methods and materials of Azorean vernacular architecture. Its designation as "rotary" highlights an ingenious particularity: the ability of the entire structure, or at least its upper body, to be manually rotated to adjust the sails to the most favorable wind direction.
This type of windmill was essential for grinding cereals, such as corn and wheat, playing a vital role in the subsistence of island communities in times past. The windmill in Canada do Manuel Trapim thus represents a testament to local ingenuity and the self-sufficiency of an era.
Beyond its practical function, the wooden rotary windmill in Canada do Manuel Trapim stands today as an element of inestimable cultural and landscape value. Its silhouette, outlined against the Azorean sky, is a living reminder of São Jorge's agricultural past and rural traditions.
Its presence in this corner of the island evokes a deep connection with the history and way of life of the local people, offering visitors an authentic perspective on the heritage and resilience of Azorean communities in the face of their natural environment's challenges.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.66039959302463, -28.149180666331667
Coordinates DMS: 38°39'37.4"N 28°08'57.1"W
On-duty Pharmacy Ribeira do Nabo
