Windmill of Durazno

Windmill of Durazno (Molino de El Durazno) stands right in the center of Antigua, one of Fuerteventura's oldest municipalities, and remains a lasting symbol of the island's farming past.

What is the Windmill of Durazno?

It is a historic wind-powered mill built in the early 19th century, owned by the Acosta family since its construction. The mill is part of a group of 23 windmills across Fuerteventura officially listed as Cultural Heritage under a decree issued by the Canary Islands government in 1994. Antigua is unusually rich in these structures — three separate mills survive right in the town center, and Durazno is generally considered one of the best restored among them.

What was the mill used for?

Before industrial flour reached the island, mills like Durazno powered the local economy. Wind turned the sails, which drove stone mechanisms grinding wheat, barley and millet into flour — a staple of everyday life for Fuerteventura's population. Because the island's wind is strong and steady, windmills (called molinos) became a defining feature of the Majorero landscape, alongside smaller mills known as molinas that were traditionally turned by hand or by animal power.

When did it stop working, and how was it restored?

The mill remained active until the 1950s. As industrially produced flour became widely available, grinding grain by wind lost its economic purpose, and the building gradually fell into disrepair. That changed in 2010, when restoration work began in late July. Builders first repaired the structure of the mill itself, and municipal carpenters then restored the pieces of the grinding mechanism along with the mill's internal framework. The final stage rebuilt the wooden roof using traditional carpentry methods long practiced on the island. As a result, Durazno kept both its historic appearance and its working mechanism, rather than becoming a purely decorative shell.

Where is the mill, and how do you visit it?

The mill sits right in the heart of Antigua, making it an easy stop while exploring the town — there is no need to travel out into the countryside to see it. Its location, at roughly 28.4227, -14.0207, means a visit pairs naturally with a short walk through the historic center, where the town's two other surviving mills are also within reach. It is worth having a camera ready: the mill's white tower set against Fuerteventura's dry, volcanic scenery is one of the more photogenic sights in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors go inside the Windmill of Durazno? The mill is a municipal heritage site typically viewed from outside while walking through central Antigua; access to the interior can vary, so it is worth checking current details on site or with the local tourist information point.

What is the difference between a molino and a molina in Fuerteventura? A molino is a windmill with rotating sails driven by wind, while a molina is a smaller mill traditionally operated by hand or with animal power — both types existed side by side on the island, and Durazno represents the windmill category.

Why did the mill stop operating? As industrial flour production expanded through the 20th century, wind-powered grinding stopped being cost-effective, and the mill ceased operating in the 1950s.

Is the current mill original or a reconstruction? The building itself is historic; the 2010 works were a restoration rather than a rebuild, repairing the original structure, grinding machinery and roof using traditional techniques so the mill kept its authentic character.