Fixed stone mill 4 at Praia São Mateus, Arrochela

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > São Mateus > Fenais

Location:

This windmill is located on Graciosa Island, in the locality of São Mateus, part of the municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa. It is situated in the area known as Arrochela, within the broader area of Fenais. Its position, close to Praia São Mateus, offers a visual and geographical connection with the island's coastal surroundings.

The Stone Construction

The windmill exhibits the characteristic shape of Graciosa's fixed windmills, being built mostly from local stone. It presents itself as a solid, conical tower that rises from the landscape. This robust stone structure is an example of the island's traditional rural architecture, designed to withstand the elements and house the grinding mechanism.

An Element of the Landscape and History

The presence of this windmill evokes Graciosa's agricultural past, when these structures were vital for grinding cereals and sustaining the local community. Its location in Arrochela, near Praia São Mateus, integrates it into the natural and humanized coastal landscape, serving as a silent testament to the island's history and traditional activities.

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