Graciosa Windmills: the Symbol of the Old “Granary of the Azores”

Some islands are known for volcanoes, others for lakes. Graciosa is known for its windmills — and the red colour of their domes has become as tied to the island as any natural landscape.

The “Granary of the Azores”

Graciosa produced wheat and barley in quantities no other Azorean island could match, earning it the nickname “Granary of the Azores.” It was this grain production that made windmills a necessity — and, over time, a symbol.

A fusion of Flemish and English influence

Graciosa’s so-called “tower mill” results from the fusion of morphological and mechanical elements from Flemish and English windmills: a truncated cone tower in dark volcanic stone, topped by a semi-ovoid, pointed dome — a design with clear English influence, unlike the more common pyramid-shaped dome found on São Miguel. This type of mill was introduced to the Azores throughout the 19th century, coinciding with the orange trade with England.

Before the wind, there were atafonas

Before windmills arrived, and given the island’s lack of watercourses — which ruled out water mills — grinding was handled by atafonas, animal-powered mills, built as annexes to wealthy rural houses and often shared communally.

About twenty windmills still standing

Around twenty windmills survive on the island today, not all in good condition. All are inactive as grinding units, but several have been restored and converted into rural tourism accommodation — such as Moinho Mó da Praia, which operated until 2002 and whose restoration, begun in 2009, included rebuilding the dome by the hands of the island’s last master craftsman with that specific knowledge.

Planning your visit

• Where to see them: windmills are scattered across the island, especially in higher, windier areas.
• Accommodation: several restored windmills now operate as rural tourism houses.
• Pair with: a visit to the windmill section of the Graciosa Museum, in Santa Cruz.

Best time to visit

Any time of year is good for seeing the windmills, but windy days make the landscape even more evocative of their original purpose.

Nearby highlights

The Graciosa Museum, in Santa Cruz, dedicates a section to the history of the island’s windmills.

After photographing the windmills scattered across the island, visit the Graciosa Museum to learn more about the engineering behind these centuries-old structures.