History of the Watermill


This old watermill with its two millstones (wheat and maize) has over one century of existence. Its first owner, Mr. Antoninho do Calhau, proceeded to its construction in its own propriety called “Sítio do Passal”, in the entrance of Faial da Terra, taking advantage of the water-spring that ran along the river with the same name.
Faial da Terra is a village that belongs to the municipality of Povoação, in the island of São Miguel.
In the beginning of the 30’s two earthquakes destroyed a great part of the houses of Povoação and the old milling was also destroyed, the reconstructed building, probably by the end of he 30’s beginning of 40’s, is the same one that still exists today. Besides the milling function, it was also the residence of the miller and its family. There was a wood oven that still has a great performance in the elaboration of some traditional meals.

The new installations

The old building is now a living room that keeps the wheat millstone and the old
wood oven functioning. The only changes were, besides an opening of
access to the new area in the stone wall, the insertion
of a fireplace in the same wall.

The new area has a large bathroom, a well equipped kitchen (an access to the outside area where there is a waterfall) and a corridor
that leads to two bedrooms, each one with its own bathroom.
It’s important to point out that this new area has central heating, through a boiler, placed in a small compartment which is in the corridor.