Fixed stone mill in Santo Antão, Chão Path.

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Calheta > Santo Antão > Cancelinha

Location

This mill is located in the parish of Santo Antão, within the municipality of Calheta. It is situated in an area identified as Cancelinha, along Caminho Chão. Its position in the rural landscape of Santo Antão reflects how these structures were integrated into the daily lives of local communities.

The Structure

This is an example of a fixed stone mill, a construction typology characteristic of some areas of the Azores. Its main structure is a solid stone masonry base, which remains immobile. This robust construction distinguishes it from rotating wooden mills.

Historical Value and Function

Windmills played a crucial role in the traditional economy of the islands, being used to grind cereals such as wheat and corn. This fixed stone mill thus represents a testament to the techniques and ways of life of yesteryear, illustrating the communities' dependence on the natural energy of the wind for the production of basic foodstuffs.

Landscape Setting

The presence of the mill on Caminho Chão, in Santo Antão, contributes to the visual identity of the area. The stone structure, rooted in the ground, is part of the rural landscape, inviting reflection on the built heritage and the relationship between man and the environment over time on the island of São Jorge.

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