Poço das Talhas Mill

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Santarém > Mação > Queixoperra

Location

The Azenha do Poço das Talhas is located in the village of Queixoperra, in the municipality of Mação. Nestled in a secluded valley, it is embraced by a natural landscape where a stream winds its way, carving its bed through the rocks over centuries. The site offers a tranquil environment, revealing a harmony between human presence and the surrounding nature, with the slopes and their terraces forming a picturesque setting.

The Legacy of Milling

This complex is a testament to rural life of yesteryear, centered on the milling of grains for flour production. For many years, the mill was a pillar of the community, where people from the village and surrounding areas brought their grains to bake their weekly cornbread. Although it ceased regular operation decades ago, its ancestral mechanisms have been carefully restored, and the mill retains the capacity to operate again, allowing the sound of the millstones to echo once more, provided there is sufficient water in the stream.

The Origin of the Name

The name "Poço das Talhas" is as unique as the place itself and stems from a natural curiosity. After crossing the bridge, the stream water flows in a peculiar way between the rocks, creating a cavity that, due to its shape, resembles the mouth of an old clay jug. This distinctive feature lends a unique charm to the site, inviting careful observation and discovery.

A Space of Living Memory

The restoration of the Azenha do Poço das Talhas and its surrounding area was a project driven by the local community, which with commitment and dedication transformed the old barn annexed to the mill into a small museum nucleus. In this space, implements and tools are preserved, telling the story of milling and the daily life of those people. The intervention reflects a deep respect for memory and tradition, seeking to maintain the authenticity of the place for visitors.

The Surrounding Natural Scenery

Beyond the mill, the site offers a striking natural setting. The stream, which has shaped the landscape over time, invites contemplation. An old stone bridge, with its robust structure, crosses the stream, connecting the two banks and adding a singular architectural element to the environment. The surrounding slopes, with their terraces, bear witness to human adaptation to the landscape and their agricultural efforts. It is a place where the quietude of nature combines with history and human ingenuity.

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