Molinos tradicionales de Mallorca

You will remember the battle that Don Quixote de la Mancha faced against the majestic giants that were nothing more than mills. And I’m sure the Parisian Moulin Rouge also comes to mind. In the Netherlands, windmills are an icon on the horizon. But you don’t have to go that far, the traditional windmills of Mallorca are one of the characteristic images of our landscape.

Furthermore, the mills of the Balearic Islands have been one of the most representative elements of our region and important in the economy of our ancestors.

Types of traditional mills in Mallorca

Flour Windmills
Water mills (dragged by water currents)
Underground water extraction mills
Sang” mills (animal powered)

According to the inventory carried out by the “Asociación de Amigos de los Molinos de Mallorca” a total of 895 flour mills have been counted, of which about 200 have completely disappeared. It is estimated that there are about 3,000 water extraction mills in Mallorca, 80% of which are still visible.

In short, Mallorca’s traditional mills are in danger of extinction. This is why the Consell de Mallorca has launched the campaign “Sponsor a mill” to restore as many windmills as possible in the old Prat de Sant Jordi, near Palma beach. In just two hectares there are 1,050 mills, most of them abandoned.

What do I have to do to sponsor the mills?

As they explain from their official website, “it is not possible to sponsor a specific mill, but the contribution is generic -from 1 euro-, and we collaborate in the restoration of all the mills”. To make a contribution, you must contact the Historical Heritage Service.

If, on the other hand, you are the owner of one of the mills, the Consell de Mallorca will subsidise 100% of the work on the tower, the pool and the mechanism. The owner of the mill will have to maintain it and allow free public visits (on request).