Moinho das Fontes, Fontes, Canada do Campo → Mill of the Springs, Fontes, Canada do Campo

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Fontes > Canada do Campo

Location

Located in the area known as Canada do Campo, within the locality of Fontes, this windmill is situated in an area that evokes the island's rural environment. Its position was chosen to harness the force of the wind, an essential element for its operation in the past.

Shape and Materials

This is a typical fixed stone windmill, built predominantly with local volcanic rock. It stands out for its robust cylindrical tower, topped by a conical cap that could be oriented to better catch the wind. Its characteristic sails are triangular in shape, adapted to local conditions.

Memory of the Past

Like other windmills on Graciosa island, this building recalls the central role that grain milling played in the economy and daily life of the local populations in the past. It represents a part of the agricultural heritage and the ingenuity required to transform the land's produce into essential goods, before the advent of more modern methods.

Connection to the Toponym

The name "Moinho das Fontes" (Windmill of the Springs) itself establishes a direct connection with the locality where it is situated, Fontes, known for its water springs. Although it is a windmill and not a watermill, its designation contextualizes it within the natural landscape of the area, suggesting the abundant presence of water resources nearby and connecting the structure to the local geography.

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