Old Mill of the Paulistas

Category: Civil Architecture > Mill

District: Setúbal > Seixal > Seixal > Quinta da Trindade

Location

The Moinho Velho dos Paulistas is serenely integrated into the landscape of Quinta da Trindade, in Seixal. This old mill stands on the left bank of the Coina river, within the vast region of the Tagus estuary. Its isolated and riverside position allows for a direct and intrinsic connection with the aquatic environment that was once its source of energy, offering a view over the calm waters of the basin.

The building rests directly on the riverbed, taking advantage of natural coves for the formation of its dams or basins. This particular location highlights it as a striking element in the landscape, revealing ingenious human adaptation to the estuarine environment for productive purposes.

Historical Legacy and the Tide Mill

The origins of the Moinho Velho dos Paulistas date back to the 15th century, with records of interventions and reconstructions up to the 18th century, including the possible influence of the architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira after the 1755 earthquake. This mill is a remarkable example of 16th and 18th-century agricultural architecture, a testament to a time when the Seixal region was an important milling center.

The tide mills in the Seixal area form one of the oldest existing clusters, with a history dating back to the 14th century, and which, in the 16th century, numbered around sixty units. The Moinho Velho dos Paulistas used the force of the tides to move its millstones, an ingenious system where water was retained in basins and released through sluice gates, utilizing the ebb and flow for cereal grinding.

Unique Architecture

With a rectangular plan and multiple bodies arranged in an axis, the Moinho Velho dos Paulistas presents a solid structure resting on a stone base. Below the milling area, there are round arches through which water passed to turn the horizontal mill wheels. The main facade of the building was connected to a small quay, essential for loading and unloading operations.

The building is distinguished by its typology, less common at the time, with stepped volumes and differentiated roof coverings in two and three slopes. It has one or two-story facades, with straight and molded openings. Elements such as the gable on the main facade, the off-center portal, and the sill windows on the second floor give it a distinct architectural character, reflecting its original function and evolution over the centuries.

Heritage and Cultural Value

The Moinho Velho dos Paulistas is classified as an Immovable of Public Interest, a recognition of its historical and cultural relevance in national heritage. Its presence in the Tagus estuary offers a window into the region's industrial past, being one of the best and oldest examples of industrial archaeology in Portugal.

Even in its current state of disuse, the mill retains a strong landscape and cultural identity. The riverside surroundings, rich in biodiversity, complement the architectural beauty of the structure, making it a place of interest for those seeking to understand the history and the relationship between man and nature and production in the Seixal area.

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