Fixed stone mill in Urzelina, Urzelina Wharf.

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Velas > Urzelina > Terreiros

Location

This unique windmill is located in the picturesque village of Urzelina, part of the municipality of Velas, on the island of São Jorge, Azores. Its position is notable for its proximity to Cais da Urzelina (Urzelina Quay), suggesting an intimate relationship with maritime activity and the coastal landscapes that characterize this area. Rising in the surroundings of Terreiros, the windmill offers a distinctive perspective on the coastal environment and the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.

Urzelina is an area distinguished by its rural essence and direct contact with the sea, where the serenity of the fields intertwines with the oceanic vastness. The windmill integrates harmoniously into this scenery, acting as an element that reflects the historical interaction between man and nature in the Azorean archipelago.

Architecture and Agricultural Heritage

The fixed stone windmill in Urzelina constitutes a striking example of traditional Azorean architecture. Its robust structure, built with local volcanic stone, integrates cohesively into the landscape. With its cylindrical shape and rotating conical roof (originally equipped with sails), it was designed to capture and harness the force of the prevailing winds on the island's coast.

These windmills played a vital role in the life of communities, being the place where cultivated cereals were ground to produce flour, essential for sustenance. The designation "fixed stone" underlines the permanence and resilience of this construction, a symbol of the self-sufficiency and ingenuity of the people of São Jorge in past times.

Scenic and Symbolic Setting

In addition to its historical and architectural relevance, the presence of the windmill in Urzelina confers a particular scenic value to the coastal landscape. Its imposing silhouette, silhouetted against the blue of the Atlantic and the lush green of the surrounding terrain, creates an appealing visual point of interest for those exploring the Cais da Urzelina area.

The windmill is not just a structure; it is a symbolic element that links the island's agricultural past to its stunning natural surroundings. Its location invites contemplation, allowing visitors to appreciate both its unique construction and the dynamic beauty of the Azorean coast, a place where memory and nature intertwine harmoniously.

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