Fixed stone mill in Luz, Canada das Chícharas

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Luz > Pedras Brancas

Location

This mill is located in the village of Luz, one of Graciosa Island's points of interest. It is specifically situated in the area identified as Pedras Brancas, in the zone known as Canada das Chícharas. This location is part of the municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, in an environment that reflects the island's rural landscape.

Characteristic Architecture

The mill is classified as a fixed stone mill. This means that its main structure, the tower housing the machinery, is a robust stone masonry construction that remains immobile. It differs from wooden windmills whose upper parts could rotate to catch the wind from different directions. The solidity of the stone gives it a durable appearance and firmly integrates it into the surrounding landscape.

Historical Testimony

These fixed stone mills represent an important element of Graciosa Island's past. They were built to grind cereals, such as wheat or corn, which were cultivated locally and essential for the population's sustenance. Their existence attests to the reliance on wind power for agricultural processing and the importance of cereal production in the island's history.

Symbol of the Rural Landscape

The fixed stone mill in Canada das Chícharas, like others on Graciosa, is more than just an ancient structure. It is an icon of the Azorean rural landscape and, in particular, of Graciosa's identity. Its conical or cylindrical shape, built from volcanic stone, is an element that marks the horizon and recalls the activities and way of life of past generations.

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