Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Bragança > Bragança > Alimonde
In the heart of the picturesque village of Alimonde, nestled in the municipality of Bragança, the community mill "de cima" (up) is situated in an environment that reflects the rural essence of Trás-os-Montes. Its position is intrinsically linked to the presence of a watercourse, vital for its historical operation, revealing the dependence of local communities on natural resources. The surroundings are marked by the tranquility and authenticity of a Transmontane village, where traditional architecture and the natural landscape create a serene and inviting setting for discovering the past.
The community mill "de cima" is a remarkable testament to the agrarian and social life that once defined the existence of the people of Alimonde. As its name suggests, this mill was a resource shared by the entire local community, playing a crucial role in the grinding of cereals such as rye and wheat, the basis of regional sustenance. Its collective management underscores a spirit of cooperation and mutual aid that characterized rural societies, making this space not only an essential place of work but also a meeting point for sharing knowledge and experiences.
Architecturally, the community mill "de cima" exhibits the simplicity and robustness characteristic of the popular constructions in the Bragança region. Built mainly from local stone, the building integrates harmoniously into the rural landscape. Inside, now preserved, it is possible to observe the machinery that enabled grinding, from the ingenious water capture system that fed the waterwheel to the imposing stone millstones that crushed the grains. Every constructive and mechanical detail reflects ancestral know-how and human adaptation to the environment to ensure subsistence.
Today, the community mill "de cima" transcends its original function to assert itself as a symbol of heritage and the resilience of a community. Its preservation and the possibility of visitation allow interested parties to understand the ancestral grinding techniques and the central role these buildings played in rural daily life. It represents a valuable window into the past, inviting reflection on the evolution of lifestyles and the importance of safeguarding these collective memories for future generations, keeping the history of Alimonde alive.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.7884038,-6.891973
Coordinates DMS: 41°47'18.3"N 06°53'31.1"W
Weather Alimonde
On-duty Pharmacy Alimonde
