Custódio Dos Santos Bartolomeu Mill, Unipessoal Lda.

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Faro > Lagoa > Lagoa

Location:

Located in Lagoa, in the heart of the municipality of the same name, this mill is integrated into a tranquil area of the Algarvian interior. The surroundings are characterized by open, rural landscapes, where agricultural fields and small elevations predominate.

Despite being close to the urban center, the surrounding environment conveys a sense of retreat and authenticity. It is a place where Algarvian rurality is revealed without filters, far from the coastal bustle, offering a more intimate experience of the region.

Memory and Collecting

This old windmill, transformed into a private museum, is the result of the commitment and dedication of Custódio Bartolomeu, a local inhabitant with a passion for preserving everyday objects from other eras. Over the years, he gathered a vast collection of artifacts related to rural life, craftsmanship, and domestic habits of the 20th century.

The space displays objects as diverse as kitchen utensils, antique radios, agricultural tools, toys, fishing-related items, and even television sets from past decades. Each piece has been carefully organized and preserved, creating a visual journey through the evolution of domestic and working life in the Algarve.

Atmosphere and Experience

More than a simple exhibition space, the mill functions as an extension of its creator's personality. A visit transforms into an encounter with collective memory and lived history, told informally and passionately. Direct contact with the objects, combined with the welcoming atmosphere, offers an experience marked by authenticity.

Those who visit this place find a living testament to not-so-distant times, rescued from oblivion and gathered in a space that invites calm observation and reflection on how daily life has evolved in recent decades.

Construction and Character of the Mill

The building itself retains traces of its original function as a windmill, with a traditional Algarvian circular-plan structure. Although the grinding mechanism is no longer in full use, the space preserves typical architectural elements and remains a symbol of the relationship between man and natural resources.

This unique spot in Lagoa is both a repository of objects and a tribute to a way of life more connected to the land, time, and community. A discreet place, yet full of meaning and memory.

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