Author(s)

J. C. Viegas & J. A. Miranda

Abstract

Traditional mills belong to the cultural memory of people because they are associated to a still recent past and appeal to the countryside roots of people. Traditional mills belong to our cultural heritage and history and their rehabilitation and use is an issue that we must face. The purpose of this paper is to deepen the reasons to protect this heritage and to present some rehabilitation work carried out in this context. The authors have been carrying out rehabilitation works of windmills in Portugal (mainly in Lisbon surroundings), since mid-1980s. These works are particularly delicate because most windmills are close to total ruin and the study of the remains could hardly support a faithful reconstruction. Therefore, a regional survey of traditional windmills was needed to support an accurate study. Complete reconstruction implied also the fabrication of ne

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