Maralhas Mill

Category: Civil Architecture > Mill

District: Beja > Aljustrel > Aljustrel > Bairro Plano

Location

The Maralhas Windmill stands in an elevated position, south of the town of Aljustrel, integrated into the Bairro Plano area. Its privileged location, at the top of a hillock, offers a wide perspective over the urban fabric of the locality and the surrounding Alentejo landscape.

A Testament to the Past

This windmill is one of the few that have survived from a group that, in other times, numbered around seventeen examples around Aljustrel. Its current name, Moinho do Maralhas, is believed to originate from a former owner in the late nineteenth century, although it was also known by other names. The hill where it is located, once called Cabeço da Forca, has a history dating back to the Middle Ages, evoking a distant past.

Architecture and Legacy

The Maralhas Windmill is a notable example of traditional windmill architecture. Over the years, it has undergone restoration work that has allowed for its preservation and the revitalization of its function. Currently, it integrates a museum nucleus, playing a fundamental educational role. It allows visitors to understand the ancient processes of cereal milling, showing how these structures, essential to rural Alentejo life, functioned. Furthermore, it is a space dedicated to learning about various topics related to agriculture.

Panoramic Views and Leisure

One of the great attractions of the Maralhas Windmill is the panoramic view enjoyed from there. From above, it is possible to contemplate the houses of Aljustrel and their intrinsic relationship with the mining landscape, marked by elements such as lagoons and quarries. The view also extends over the vast Alentejo plains, dotted with cereal fields, the traditional montados and eucalyptus plantations. The area surrounding the windmill has been designed for leisure and contemplation, with the creation of a viewpoint and the installation of a panoramic swing, inviting relaxation and landscape observation.

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