Rotating wooden mill in Manadas, Terreiros

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Velas > Manadas > Terreiros

Location

Situated in the serene locality of Manadas, more specifically in Terreiros, this windmill is located on the Island of São Jorge, in the heart of the Azores archipelago. Its strategic position was once chosen to take advantage of the constant winds, simultaneously offering unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape and, at times, glimpses of the vast ocean embracing the island. Its presence marks a discreet landmark in the rural landscape, naturally integrating into the topography.

Ingenuity and Heritage

The rotating wooden windmill in Manadas represents a remarkable example of popular engineering, crucial for the subsistence of Azorean communities. Its particularity lies in the ability of the entire mill structure to rotate on a central axis, allowing its sails to adjust to the direction of the dominant wind. This ingenious mechanism was vital for grinding cereals such as wheat and corn, transforming them into flour essential for daily bread and local food, reflecting a time of great dependence on natural resources and human inventiveness for life in insular isolation.

Construction Features

The structure of this windmill is predominantly made of wood, lending it an organic aesthetic and remarkable durability against the elements. Its compact and robust form, with a cylindrical or truncated conical body rising from the ground, culminates in the dome that supports the axle and the large sails. The wooden details, from the planks lining the exterior to the internal mechanisms that once powered the millstones, bear witness to the mastery of local artisans. The simplicity of its lines and the functionality of its design are distinctive features that make it a genuine element of the landscape.

Symbol of the Rural Landscape

Beyond its practical function, the Manadas Windmill stands as a symbol of the Azorean rural landscape. Its presence evokes the harmony between man and nature, where the wind, an element so present on the islands, was transformed into useful energy. Today, the windmill invites contemplation of the memory of an agricultural past and the resilience of local communities. It remains a point of interest that silently tells the story of generations who knew how to leverage the resources of their environment to shape their daily lives.

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