Freixieiro Mills

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Braga > Celorico de Basto > Cruz > Assento

Location

The Freixieiro Mills are integrated into the urban landscape of Cruz, in the municipality of Celorico de Basto, precisely in the Assento area. Situated in the heart of Freixieiro Park, this built complex extends along the course of the river that gives it its name. The surroundings are marked by extensive grassy areas, dotted with leafy plane trees, and a network of paved paths, punctuated by small iron bridges that cross both the river and the water channels that feed the mills.

Memory of a Laborious Past

Dating probably from between the 19th and 20th centuries, the Freixieiro Mills are a testament to rural life and local ingenuity. This complex was essential for the communities of the region, playing a dual role: one of the mills was dedicated to grinding cereals for flour, while the watermill (azenha), with its vertical wheel, had the specific function of processing flax. The complexity of these structures and their purpose reveal the importance of agriculture and the transformation of its products for the sustenance of the population of yesteryear.

Traditional Architecture and Engineering

The complex is composed of two mills and the miller's house, all predominantly built of rusticated granite masonry, harmoniously fitted into the riverbanks. The horizontal-wheel mill, with a quadrangular plan, has two floors, the lower floor being where the water activates the mechanism and the upper floor housing the millstone and the hopper. The watermill (azenha), with a rectangular shape, stands out for its large iron wheel that used the force of water for the process of processing flax. An ingenious network of granite water channels, with iron sluice gates, demonstrates mastery in water resource management.

A Corner of Culture and Nature

Currently, the Freixieiro Mills function as a notable cultural and recreational point of interest. Their restoration has allowed for the preservation of the authenticity of these traditional constructions, making them a pleasant place for a visit. Walking the paths of the park, to the sound of water still flowing through the water channels, invites a moment of serenity and reflection. The presence of old millstones, some fragmented, scattered throughout the space, offers a tangible glimpse of the activity that took place there, inviting visitors to imagine the daily life of the miller and the work rhythm that once animated this site.

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