Windmill of Llano del Moro

Windmill of Llano del Moro is a historic windmill in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a surviving trace of the island's traditional milling craft. Although the structure now stands in ruins, its thick stone walls still hint at the era when such mills were a working part of Tenerife's rural landscape.

Where is the windmill located

The mill stands in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife area, near Llano del Moro, close to the route of the Camino Viejo de Candelaria — an old pilgrimage path documented since the 16th century, which once connected La Laguna with Candelaria. The windmill served as a landmark along this historic route. Its coordinates are 28.4417 N, -16.3331 W.

What does the structure look like

The mill has a truncated cone shape, a form typical of traditional windmills across the Canary Islands. It stands roughly 10 meters tall with a diameter of about 4 meters. Its thick walls were built from irregular basalt blocks and small stones, bound together with a mortar made of earth, lime, and sand — a construction method common to utilitarian buildings of the period on the island.

What was the mill used for

The windmill was used to grind grain, including for producing gofio, the traditional roasted-grain flour that has been a staple of Canarian cuisine for generations. Milling activity at the site ended in 1930, after which the building gradually lost its original purpose.

What condition is the windmill in today

The structure has lost its roof and now stands in ruins. Despite being officially listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (an asset of cultural interest) in 2005, it has at times been used as a storage space or an informal dumping spot. That gap between formal protection and the mill's actual state of neglect has pushed residents of Llano del Moro to campaign for real conservation and restoration of the building.

Is it worth visiting

The Windmill of Llano del Moro is not a conventional tourist attraction — there is no visitor infrastructure, information panels, or organized access. It appeals mainly to those interested in Tenerife's industrial history, traditional Canarian milling, or the island's old pilgrimage routes. Visitors should keep in mind that the structure is in a ruined state and should be approached with caution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Windmill of Llano del Moro? It is a historic windmill in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, built for grinding grain and producing gofio, now standing in ruins.

When did the mill stop operating? Milling activity ended in 1930, after which the building ceased to serve its original function.

Is the windmill legally protected? Yes, it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 2005, though in practice it remains neglected.

Can visitors see the windmill? It can be viewed from the outside, but there is no tourist infrastructure and the structure is ruined, so caution is needed on site.