The windmills of Mallorca

by pedro

The windmills belong to the oldest constructions on Mallorca that are still in use. They can be found and admired everywhere on the island and many of them still work perfectly.

Already since 1229, when the Christian troops of Jaime I conquered the island, this mechanical invention, that makes use of the natural power, animal power like the one of horses, mules or donkeys as well human power to move its wings, has been known on the island.

 

The windmills belong to the oldest constructions on Mallorca that are still in use. They can be found and admired everywhere on the island and many of them still work perfectly.

Already since 1229, when the Christian troops of Jaime I conquered the island, this mechanical invention, that makes use of the natural power, animal power like the one of horses, mules or donkeys as well human power to move its wings, has been known on the island.

 

An important chronological contemporary witness helps to date the exact age of the windmills: We refer to the retable of San Jorge, which can be found in the Diocese Museum in Palma. Painted 1329 by Pere Nisart it displays a windmill.

Being an important economical part of the islands ancestors, the windmills form a part of the rural live and historical heritage of Mallorca.

One can encounter various types of windmills:

-          Flour mills

-          Mills that extract ground water

Throughout the whole island more than 3000 windmills can be found.

In this regard, the great work of the association “friends of the windmills of Mallorca” and their dedication to observe, preserve and restore this important cultural heritage needs to be highlighted.

Types of windmills

http://www.mallorcawindmills.com/english/types.html

The association “friends of the windmills of Mallorca”

http://www.amigosmolinosmallorca.es/

 

 

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