Nonsense Mill

Category: Civil Architecture > Moinho de água

District: Beja > Odemira > Vila Nova de Milfontes > Boavistinha

Location

The Asneira Mill is located in the Boavistinha area, in Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odemira municipality. Positioned on the right bank of the Mira River, this place offers an environment of natural serenity, distinct from the hustle and bustle of the village. Although a few kilometers away from the center of Vila Nova de Milfontes and its beaches, the Asneira Mill is set in a tranquil scenario, with its own lagoon complementing the surrounding river landscape.

A Historical Legacy

This unique building, dating back to the 17th century, is a remarkable example of the old tide mills that dotted the Mira River. Its construction reflects the Alentejo vernacular style, characterized by sobriety and functionality, without decorative adornments. The Asneira Mill, also known as Freixial Tide Mill, bears witness to human ingenuity in exploiting natural resources for grain milling.

The Tides and Milling

The Asneira Mill was designed to operate with the force of the tides, an ingenious system that harnessed the ebb and flow of water to turn the millstones. Even today, elements of its original structure are visible that attest to this purpose, such as the three buttresses that rise from the lower part of the building and the sluice gate located on the western side. Inside, although most of its milling mechanisms no longer exist, a pair of millstones remains, recalling its functional past. The name "Asneira" derives from a traditional element, the "asna," a wooden or stone protection used to contain river banks.

Memory of an Ancient Function

Over time, the Asneira Mill underwent several transformations. After decades of operation, its milling activity was progressively reduced in the 20th century, until it was definitively closed down. The building, which once echoed with the sound of moving millstones, was adapted to a new purpose, yet remains a fundamental piece of the memory and landscape of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Its structure stands as a silent landmark of an era when life moved to the rhythm of the tides and rural work.

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