Alhos Vedros Tide Mill

Category: Civil Architecture > Mill

District: Setúbal > Moita > Alhos Vedros > Bairro João da Silva

Location

Situated in the locality of Alhos Vedros, municipality of Moita, this unique Tide Mill is found in Bairro João da Silva, in a transitional zone between the urban and the riverside. Its position northwest of the village's historic core offers a privileged perspective of the Tagus River estuary. The surroundings include a public garden, providing a tranquil environment to enjoy the landscape and local heritage.

A Historical Legacy

The history of the Alhos Vedros Tide Mill dates back to the 17th century, with references to its existence dating from 1631. For over three centuries, this mill played a crucial role in the region's life, harnessing the power of the tides to grind cereals such as wheat and corn. Although it underwent reconstruction work in 1758 and suffered significant damage in a cyclone in 1941, its original milling function remained active until the mid-20th century, witnessing the economic and social transformations of the community.

Architecture and Tidal Engineering

The Alhos Vedros Tide Mill is a remarkable example of 17th-century vernacular architecture, characterized by its structural simplicity and balanced proportions. Its longitudinal plan and sober volume, topped by a hip roof, reflect the inherent functionality of an industrial construction of that era. On the main facade, facing north, seven aferidos are visible, the stone channels that allowed the controlled entry and exit of tidal water, essential for the operation of the milling mechanism. The mill is integrated into a complex that includes an old manor house, which, with its low-rise style and some neoclassical touches, complements the architectural reading of the site.

From Productive Past to Cultural Present

After a period of disuse, the Alhos Vedros Tide Mill was acquired by the Moita Municipal Council in 1986. Since then, it has been the subject of a recovery program that transformed it into a vibrant cultural dissemination space. Currently, the mill functions as a museum, dedicated to preserving the memory of traditional milling and valuing tide mills. It allows visitors to understand the hydraulic engineering that characterized them and the importance they had in the subsistence of riverside communities, offering a window into the past and local culture.

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