Windmills of Alburrica

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmills

District: Setúbal > Barreiro > Barreiro > Alburrica

Location

The Alburrica Windmills are located at the tip of Alburrica, a sand spit in Barreiro, where the Coina river meets the Tagus. This site offers a unique perspective on the riverside landscape, with the isolated windmills punctuating the alluvial sand. Their position took advantage of the maritime winds, essential for their original operation.

A Milling Legacy

Built in 1852, these windmills were a pillar of the local economy of Barreiro. Known as Gigante (Giant), Poente (West), and Nascente (East), they played a crucial role in milling, transforming cereals such as rice into flour. This activity was fundamental for the region's subsistence and for feeding the biscuit factories of the time, linking them to a past of intense production and industrial development.

Architectural Uniqueness

Among the three, the Gigante Mill stands out for its architecture and unusual proportions in the Portuguese context. Built of whitewashed masonry, it features a circular tower topped by a dark conical roof. This structure, likely of English inspiration, is a rare example of a fixed tower mill with a winding gear system for rotating the cap, demonstrating remarkable engineering for its time. A plaque on its facade records its construction date, 1852, and the name of the person who commissioned its building, José Pedro da Costa.

Heritage Interest

Currently derelict, the Alburrica Windmills are recognized for their historical and ethnographic value, being classified as a Site of Municipal Interest. They represent a testament to the industrial archaeology of the region, evoking the techniques and challenges of wind-powered milling. Observing their robust walls and their two-story interior, although without the original machinery, allows one to imagine the arduous work and the importance they held for the community. Their presence in the landscape invites reflection on the evolution and traditions of Barreiro.

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