Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Santa Cruz
The Azenha de Santa Cruz is located in the town of Santa Cruz, which is part of the municipality of Torres Vedras. This building is situated in an urban area, near the coastline, offering a cultural point of interest in the vicinity of Santa Cruz Beach.
Built in the late 15th century, the Azenha de Santa Cruz operated for several centuries, serving as an important unit for grinding cereals, powered by the hydraulic energy of a local stream. Its activity extended uninterruptedly until the mid-1950s. In the 19th century, its function was expanded with the inclusion of a fulling mill, used for processing fabrics.
With the end of its original function, the watermill was recognized for its significant ethnological and heritage value. In 1997, it was classified as a Property of Public Interest in the Civil Architecture category. Acquired by the Torres Vedras City Council in 1999, the property, which was in ruins, was carefully restored in 2009, allowing its reopening to the public.
The structure of the watermill features an irregular and elongated floor plan, composed of various compartments distributed along the waterline. It is an example of traditional hydraulic engineering, where water was diverted to power the machinery. Inside, one can still observe the elements that once formed part of the milling mechanism.
One of its milling mechanisms is still preserved, with its wooden wheel, its 38 penaços (blades) and the urreiro (shaft), allowing visitors a direct understanding of its operation. The millstones, fundamental stones in the grain milling process, are also present. The building, constructed with plastered masonry walls, has floors that alternate between beaten earth and wooden flooring, reflecting the materials and construction techniques of the era.
Currently, the Azenha de Santa Cruz functions as an interpretative center, dedicated to the history of cereal milling and bread production. This cultural space aims to promote traditions and disseminate the popular memory and culture of the region. It offers an exhibition with a thematic collection, complemented by informative panels and projections of films and photographs that portray the times when the watermill was in full activity, inviting an immersion into the local heritage.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.1338726,-9.3830746
Coordinates DMS: 39°08'1.9"N 09°22'59.1"W
Weather Santa Cruz
On-duty Pharmacy Santa Cruz
