Atrozela Mill

Category: Civil Architecture > Moinho de água

District: Lisboa > Cascais > Alcabideche > Atrozela

Location

The Azenha de Atrozela is located in the village of Atrozela, an ancient settlement within the parish of Alcabideche, in the municipality of Cascais. Situated on Estrada da Azenha, this location benefits from a natural and rural environment that contrasts with the more urbanized surroundings of the region. The watermill is integrated within the perimeter of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which accentuates its connection to a protected landscape of particular interest.

Its position next to a stream underscores the importance of water for its historical operation and lends the place a serene atmosphere characteristic of the countryside landscape. It is a point that invites observation of the interaction between human activity and the natural environment that supported it.

Historical and Architectural Heritage

This old watermill, classified as a Monument of Municipal Interest, is a testament to the prosperity and milling activity that characterized the region in past centuries. The Azenha de Atrozela stands out for its structure, which includes two millstones: one in the original building, designed for grinding wheat, and another in a later compartment, dedicated to grinding corn. This particularity illustrates the evolution of needs and the adaptability of the site over time.

The oldest part of the construction is believed to date back to the 16th or 17th century, evidenced by the type of architecture and ceramic findings. Later, in the 19th century, a new house was built next to the original one. The complex included not only the milling spaces but also a small warehouse, a shelter for the miller's draft animal, and, on the other side of the yard, the miller's residence, which was integrated into the rocky formations and had a bread oven in the kitchen. This ensemble reveals the self-sufficiency and daily life that took place there.

Natural Environment and Scenery

The watermill is in symbiosis with its natural environment, providing a picturesque and tranquil setting. Next to the main building, there is a small weir that, when full, allows one to observe the water flowing down with some force, a simple but striking spectacle that recalls the movement that once powered the millstones.

Beyond the watermill structure, the area surrounding the stream that fed it was historically used for cultivation and cattle grazing. Although the mill is currently disused, the presence of these natural elements and their integration into the landscape evoke a past of labor and a strong connection to the land, inviting contemplation of Cascais' rural heritage.

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