Estorãos Mill

Category: Civil Architecture > Moinho de água

District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte de Lima > Lacada

Location:

The Estorãos Watermill is located in Lacada, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima, positioned along the banks of the River Estorãos. This location benefits from a peaceful natural setting, framed by the lush green landscape of the Minho region and offering views of the imposing Serra D’Arga mountain range. The watermill is situated near an old stone bridge, which contributes to the charm and historical character of the riverside scenery.

The Mill's Legacy:

This building represents a watermill (azenha), a type of traditional water mill that harnessed the power of the River Estorãos' current to grind cereals. Its presence on site is a testament to folk engineering and agricultural practices of yesteryear, illustrating an era when the harnessing of water resources was essential for the subsistence of communities. Currently, the watermill has been restored, keeping alive the memory of a past of labour and an intrinsic connection to the river.

Environment and Historical Ensemble:

The area around the watermill offers an atmosphere of serenity and heritage discovery. Near the mill, the stone bridge crossing the River Estorãos is a noteworthy construction, dating from the 16th or 17th centuries. Although it sometimes evokes Roman architecture, its features point to later periods. On the river bank, next to the bridge, a small ensemble of 18th-century "alminhas" (shrines dedicated to the souls of the purgatory) is still visible, which in the past invited passers-by to prayer and enrich the cultural value of the site. The waters of the River Estorãos flow gently, reinforcing the peaceful atmosphere of the valley.

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