Wooden swivel mill at Ponta do Raso, Rua do Moinho.

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > São Roque do Pico > São Roque do Pico

Location

The wooden rotating windmill is strategically located at Ponta do Raso, a coastal promontory in the locality of São Roque do Pico, on the Azorean island of Pico. Its location is marked by its proximity to the sea, directly benefiting from the Atlantic winds that sweep this coastal area.

This location offers stunning and unobstructed views over the vast ocean, framing the windmill within a landscape of great natural beauty, where the force of the elements shapes the surroundings. It is located on Rua do Moinho (Windmill Street), a designation that suggests its historical relevance to the local community.

Architecture and Mechanism

This example is a remarkable wooden rotating windmill, an architectural typology designed to operate efficiently in areas of irregular or variable wind. Its main structure, entirely built of wood, has the particularity of allowing the entire body of the windmill to rotate on a central axis.

This rotation capability is fundamental for the windmill's sails to be precisely oriented in the predominant wind direction, ensuring maximum use of wind energy. It is a testament to popular ingenuity and traditional construction techniques adapted to the needs of grinding cereals for the subsistence of the island's communities.

Heritage and Scenic Setting

The wooden rotating windmill at Ponta do Raso symbolizes the deep connection of the Azorean people to their territory and available natural resources, representing an important piece of Pico's material and cultural heritage. Its presence recalls the island's agricultural past and the importance of cereal milling for daily life.

Integrated into a unique coastal landscape, this windmill contributes to the beauty and authenticity of Ponta do Raso. It is a striking element that harmoniously blends with the natural environment, offering its visitors a unique perspective on the history and the relationship between man and nature in this part of the Azores.

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