Windmills

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Corvo > Vila do Corvo > Caminho dos Moinhos

Location

Located on Caminho dos Moinhos, in the peaceful Vila do Corvo, Corvo municipality, these traditional buildings are found on the southern part of the island, near the coastline. Their elevated position, adapted to the terrain's slope, offers a broad perspective over the surrounding landscape and the vastness of the Atlantic, inviting serene observation of the natural environment.

Legacy of Other Times

This set of fixed windmills dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries, witnessing a period when cereal milling was fundamental for the subsistence of the Corvo community. For decades, they were vital elements in the island's economic and social life, reflecting local ingenuity in utilizing available natural resources. Recognized by the Regional Government of the Azores, they are part of the Inventory of Historical and Religious Heritage of Corvo Island, ensuring their preservation as a valuable cultural landmark.

Unique Architecture

The windmills of Corvo are distinguished by their typology and appearance. With a truncated conical body built of stone masonry, some of them are plastered and painted white. Their most notable feature is the conical, wooden, and rotating roof, which allows the mast and sails to be oriented according to the wind's direction. It is worth noting the particularity of their sails, which are presented in a triangular format, a quite rare configuration in the Azores, making them unique examples in the archipelago. The entrance, located on an elevated plane, is accessed by symmetrical converging flights of stairs, giving them a striking silhouette.

A Point for Contemplation

Besides their historical and architectural value, the windmills offer a picturesque setting for those visiting Vila do Corvo. Harmoniously integrated into the landscape, they invite a moment of pause and reflection, allowing one to appreciate the island's tranquility and beauty. Their presence recalls the pace of life of yesteryear and the strong connection of the Corvinos to the land and the sea, in an environment where the wind, once a driving force, continues to shape the local atmosphere.

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