Fixed stone mill on Church Path, Canada Vermelha No. 117

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Guadalupe > Caminho do Pontal

Location

This stone windmill is located on the idyllic Graciosa Island, in the Azores archipelago, more specifically in the locality of Guadalupe, Santa Cruz da Graciosa municipality. It is situated on Caminho da Igreja, in Canada Vermelha, at number 117, near Caminho do Pontal. Its location is characteristic of the rural Graciosa environment, set within a landscape that alternates between agricultural fields and the island's tranquil slopes. From its surroundings, one can absorb the serene atmosphere and appreciate typical views of the island's interior, where traditional houses blend with indigenous vegetation and the Atlantic breeze is a constant presence.

Architecture and Function

The stationary stone windmill is a notable example of Azorean popular architecture, built with the robustness and simplicity that characterize these structures. Being a windmill, its structure is predominantly composed of a cylindrical stone tower, which rises solidly from the ground to capture the dominant winds. Although its movable components, such as the sails, may not be in their original full state, the mass and form of its tower reveal the purpose for which it was built: the milling of cereals. The use of local stone in its construction gives it a harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape, testifying to human ingenuity in leveraging natural resources for subsistence.

Heritage and Memory

This windmill represents an important link to the agricultural and ethnographic past of Graciosa Island. In the context of the Azorean islands, windmills played a crucial role in daily life and the local economy, by transforming cereals like corn and and wheat into flour, an essential food for the communities. The presence of a stone windmill like this evokes the resilience and self-sufficiency of the Graciosa islanders, who directly depended on wind power to process their agricultural products. Contemplating this windmill is to revisit an era when the pace of life was dictated by nature, and these structures were pillars of the community and symbols of hard, yet rewarding work.

Scenic Setting

The area where the windmill is situated offers a unique perspective on the natural beauty and tranquility of Graciosa. From the vicinity of this structure, visitors can enjoy unobstructed views of the gently rolling fields, dotted with small rural properties and the characteristic green of the Azorean landscape. The calm atmosphere and pure air invite contemplation, providing a moment of connection with the simplicity and authenticity of island life. It is a place where silence is broken only by the sounds of nature, ideal for appreciating the serenity of the rural landscape and the subtle beauty of Graciosa Island.

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