Windmill at La Corte

Molino de La Corte (Windmill at La Corte) is a 19th-century windmill standing at the southern entrance to the town of Antigua on Fuerteventura, one of three historic mills that once shaped the local landscape.

Where is the La Corte windmill located?

The mill stands on Calle Abubilla and is the first windmill visitors see when entering Antigua from the south. It works as a natural landmark for anyone exploring the town on foot, with views opening onto the surrounding houses and the farmland typical of Fuerteventura's inland countryside.

What does the mill look like?

Built from local volcanic stone, the windmill follows a construction style typical of the island. Its base is shaped like a truncated cone, topped by a cylindrical tower that once housed the grinding mechanism — millstones turned by the rotation of the sails above. Those sails were originally made of wood and canvas, a design that let millers adjust how much surface caught the wind depending on its strength. The result is a simple, functional structure that has survived largely unchanged for well over a century.

What is the history behind it?

The mill was built in the 19th century to grind grain, chiefly for gofio — the toasted-grain flour that remains a staple of Canarian cooking. Antigua was historically one of Fuerteventura's key agricultural centers, and windmills powered by the island's near-constant trade winds took over the heavy work of grinding that had once relied on animals or manual labor. La Corte operated alongside two other town mills: Molino de Durazno, on the street of the same name, and Molino de Antigua, which today has been converted into an interpretation center on the island's milling history.

How does it compare to the nearby Molino de Antigua?

Visitors sometimes mix up the two, since they sit close together within the town. Molino de Antigua has been adapted into a small museum space where the internal grinding mechanism can be seen up close. La Corte, by contrast, has kept a rawer, less altered character — it reads more as a landmark within the townscape than as a site with a formal exhibition.

Why is it worth a stop?

Antigua is one of the Fuerteventura towns most closely tied to windmill heritage, having once had the island's highest concentration of these structures. A visit to Molino de La Corte takes only a few minutes but fits naturally into a short walking route that also covers the town's other mills and the nearby Museo del Queso Majorero (cheese museum). It is also a good spot for photos of the volcanic-stone architecture that defines Fuerteventura's rural interior, away from the coastal resorts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Molino de La Corte? On Calle Abubilla in Antigua, Fuerteventura — the first mill encountered when entering the town from the south.

How old is the windmill? It dates back to the 19th century and was part of a small network of grain mills that once served the Antigua area.

Can visitors go inside the mill? Molino de La Corte is not set up as a museum; it is viewed mainly from the outside. To see the grinding mechanism up close, visitors can head to the nearby Molino de Antigua, which has been turned into an interpretation center.

Is it worth combining with other sights in Antigua? Yes — the town's other historic mills (Molino de Durazno, Molino de Antigua) and the Museo del Queso Majorero are all within easy walking distance, making a short mill-themed route through town an easy addition to any visit.