Castro Verde Windmill

Category: Civil Architecture > Mill

District: Beja > Castro Verde > Castro Verde > Castro Verde e Casével

Location

The Castro Verde Windmill is strategically positioned in the Largo da Feira, in the heart of the town of Castro Verde, within the urban area of Castro Verde and Casével. Its presence marks the transition between the urban fabric and the vastness of the Alentejo landscape, offering a privileged perspective on the surroundings.

From this point, it is possible to appreciate the unique landscape surrounding the village, with open fields stretching to the horizon, dotted with cork oaks and olive groves, characteristic elements of the Lower Alentejo.

A Rural Memory

This windmill is a remarkable vestige of Castro Verde's agrarian past. Built in the first half of the 20th century, it once played a fundamental role in the life of the community, serving as the place where cereals harvested from the vast fields were transformed into flour. It represents a time when subsistence depended directly on the force of the wind and human ingenuity to grind grains, essential for bread making.

Its structure, typical of Alentejo windmills, evokes the resilience and simplicity of traditional agricultural practices, serving as a testament to the rural heritage that shaped the region over centuries.

The Restoration and Its Legacy

After decades of inactivity, a result of the modernization of agricultural techniques that rendered windmills obsolete, the Castro Verde Windmill underwent a careful restoration intervention in the early 2000s. These works aimed to preserve its authenticity and, above all, to restore the old milling mechanisms, which can still be observed inside.

This initiative allowed the windmill to gain a new life, functioning as a space where one can understand its past operation, keeping alive the memory of an activity that was central to the local economy and the daily lives of the population.

Landscape Setting

Beyond its historical and cultural value, the Castro Verde Windmill is a striking element in the local landscape. Its silhouette gently stands out against the houses and the countryside, inviting contemplation and immersion in the Alentejo tranquility.

The windmill provides a unique observation point for those wishing to absorb the serenity and characteristic beauty of the Alentejo. From its location, one can enjoy the vastness of the skies and the expansive fields, which reveal the colors and textures that distinguish this part of Portugal, making it an excellent spot for photographic records.

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