Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Viana do Castelo > Melgaço > Cividade > Cevidade e Croca
The River Sawmill is located in the picturesque village of Cividade, an integral part of the Union of Parishes of Cevidade and Croca, in the municipality of Melgaço, district of Viana do Castelo. This location is deeply embedded in the natural landscape of the Alto Minho, on the banks of a watercourse that was its vital energy source.
Its surroundings are characterized by the serenity of the fluvial environment and the exuberance of the vegetation, typical of the verdant landscapes of Northern Portugal, providing a tranquil and harmonious setting for visitors.
The River Sawmill is a remarkable example of hydraulic engineering and traditional industry. It was dedicated to cutting and transforming wood, a resource abundant in the surrounding forests of the region. Its operation was entirely dependent on the motive power of water, which, through a complex system of channels and wheels, powered the saws and cutting mechanisms.
This system represents a crucial phase in local industrial development, bearing witness to the capacity to harness natural resources to sustain communities and their economy for centuries.
The structure of the River Sawmill reveals a functional and robust architecture, perfectly adapted to its purpose and the riverside environment. One can observe the harmonious integration of stone and wood elements, which make up the various compartments and the ingenious hydraulic system.
The building was designed to optimize water flow, directing it to the large wheel which, in turn, transmitted movement to the saws. This construction is a testament to the expertise of local artisans and engineers in manipulating available materials and creating innovative solutions for their time.
Upon visiting the River Sawmill, one is transported to a period when life and work were intrinsically linked to the rhythms of nature. The space allows one to understand the arduous but ingenious process of wood transformation, from raw log to finished board.
It is an opportunity to learn about ancestral techniques and the importance this activity held in the economy and daily life of the people of Melgaço, offering a unique perspective on industrial heritage and humanity's enduring relationship with its natural environment.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 42.0928711,-8.2805908
Coordinates DMS: 42°05'34.3"N 08°16'50.1"W
Weather Cividade
On-duty Pharmacy Cividade
