Rotating wooden mill in Senhora do Livramento, Morro Grande

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Velas > Velas

Location

Situated in the serene locality of Senhora do Livramento, in the Morro Grande area, this windmill is strategically positioned in the municipality of Velas, on the island of São Jorge, Azores. Its privileged location, typically exposed to the dominant winds, offers an authentic glimpse into the Azorean rural environment. The surroundings are characterized by a verdant landscape, extending across fields and pastures, often with wide panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean.

The presence of this emblematic structure in Morro Grande underscores the strong connection between human ingenuity and nature, revealing a view that combines the quietness of the island's interior with the vast blue of the surrounding sea. Access to this spot invites an experience of tranquility and contemplation of the Azorean landscape.

The Engineering of Wind and Land

This windmill is a remarkable example of traditional architecture, distinguished by its integral construction in wood and by the particularity of being rotatable. The rotatable feature allowed the entire upper structure of the mill, including its sails and internal mechanism, to be manually turned to orient itself towards the wind direction, thus ensuring maximum efficiency in grinding cereals.

Its sails, which once captured the force of the Atlantic winds, are a testament to an era when ingenuity and natural resources were the basis of subsistence for local communities. The robustness of the wood and the ingenious simplicity of its mechanism reflect the constructive wisdom and human adaptation to the insular environment, transforming wind energy into a vital resource for the daily life of São Jorge's population.

A Silhouette in the Azorean Landscape

The characteristic silhouette of this rotatable wooden windmill stands out in the Morro Grande landscape, making it a visual and cultural landmark. Its structure, with the wooden tower and the sails in rotation (or at rest), provides a picturesque contrast with the vibrant green of the fields and the intense blue of the sky and the surrounding sea.

Its presence evokes a sense of authenticity and connection to the island's agricultural roots and daily life of yesteryear. Visiting this place is immersing oneself in an environment where history and nature merge, offering a unique perspective on the built heritage and natural beauty of the Azores, in a setting of unquestionable scenic beauty.

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