Freixo Watermill

Category: Civil Architecture > Mill

District: Évora > Viana do Alentejo > Alcáçovas > Balalô

Location

Located in a quiet and predominantly rural area known as Balalô, near the village of Alcáçovas, in the municipality of Viana do Alentejo, the Freixo Watermill is situated on the south bank of a stream. This natural setting provides a serene environment, where the Alentejo landscape unfolds in its entirety, inviting contemplation of the place's calm and simplicity.

Historical Legacy

This watermill represents a valuable testament to rural activity and human ingenuity in the region. Its existence is documented since the second quarter of the 18th century, a period during which it played a crucial role in grinding cereals. Its importance at the time is underscored by historical records dating between 1731 and 1734, which describe it as a recognized valuable asset, even being the object of a dowry in official documents.

Ingenuity and Tradition

The Freixo Watermill illustrates a traditional construction model, designed to harness the motive power of water. Its structure, adapted to the stream's current, demonstrates the local capacity to transform natural resources for the community's benefit, reflecting the practices and dependence on nature's cycles for food production. It is a physical example of a technological and cultural heritage that shaped rural Alentejo life over the centuries.

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