Algar windmill

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Horta > Feteira > Algar

Location

The Algar Windmill is situated in a higher area of the locality of Feteira, part of the municipality of Horta, on Faial Island. It is located within the Algar urbanization, which provides a setting that blends the built environment with the surrounding natural landscape. Despite its modest altitude, between 30 and 40 meters above sea level, its position allows visitors to appreciate the tranquility of the area and the island's typical breeze.

Memory and Rural Architecture

This windmill, built in or before 1939, is a notable example of the traditional Faial-type windmills, characterized by their wooden rotating mechanism. Its structure comprises a robust stone and mortar pedestal, upon which rests the main body, made of wood. Its sails, once essential for grinding cereals, consisted of a wooden lattice, a distinctive element of its typology.

Historical Legacy

The Algar Windmill is a testament to the importance of milling in Faial's economy and daily life. Although it was deactivated in 1985 and subsequently fell into a state of ruin, its presence keeps alive the memory of local agricultural practices and human ingenuity. Its historical and cultural value is recognized, having been classified as a Property of Municipal Interest since 1996, which underscores its relevance to the island's heritage.

A Point for Contemplation

Visiting the Algar Windmill offers an opportunity to contemplate local history and the resilience of ancient structures. Even in its current condition, it remains an iconic image in the Feteira landscape. The site invites a moment of pause, allowing one to imagine the times when its sails turned with the wind, animating the landscape with the sound of milling. It is a point of interest that suggests reflection on the island's past and its evolution.

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