Rotating wooden mill in Criação Velha, Canada da Terra Grossa.

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Madalena > Criação Velha

Location

Located in the town of Criação Velha, in the municipality of Madalena, on Pico Island, this windmill is specifically found on Canada da Terra Grossa. The surrounding area is characterized by its volcanic landscape and the strong presence of winemaking culture, elements that uniquely shape the local environment.

Its location, in a distinct rural setting, allows the Atlantic winds to blow with little resistance, an essential condition for its traditional operation.

From this point, it is possible to contemplate the vast expanse of the surrounding ocean and observe the harmonious integration of traditional architecture with the island's natural terrain. The site offers a serene atmosphere and a genuine perspective on local life and the human interaction with the Azorean landscape.

Traditional Mechanism and Architecture

In the heart of the rural landscape of Criação Velha stands the rotating wooden windmill, a structure that reflects the ingenuity and adaptability of the local communities. Its tower is solidly built of masonry, using the island's characteristic stone, giving it a sturdiness that defies time and the natural elements.

The distinctive feature that gives it its name lies in its upper part: a wooden cap or dome. It is this dome, along with the wooden sails, that has the ability to rotate on the tower. This ingenious system allows the windmill to be oriented to catch the prevailing wind direction, a vital mechanism for grinding grain, an essential activity for the island's subsistence over the centuries. The simplicity of its lines and the functionality of its design, in wood and stone, reflect the traditional construction wisdom of the region.

Symbol of Azorean Rural Culture

More than just a functional structure, the rotating wooden windmill in Criação Velha stands as a true symbol of the ingenuity and resilience of the Azorean communities. It represents an era when rural life intrinsically depended on harnessing natural resources for food and energy production.

The presence of such windmills attests to the importance of subsistence agriculture and grain milling in the local economy, contributing to the self-sufficiency of the island's inhabitants. This type of construction harks back to a past where the rhythm of life was dictated by the natural elements and by the need to transform the produce of the land, serving as a tangible link to the traditions and cultural heritage of Pico Island.

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