Mills in Altoaragón - harinero

Sarsa de Surta

El molino de Pedro Buil on the Rio Vero between Paúles de Sarsa and Las Bellostas is easy to spot on the other side of the river-bed. Maybe a little too easy as demonstrated by the striped roof. The tiles are probably used in some second residence. This pleasant one-room mill could be running after only some small repairs.

Pictures with dates between january 1994 and december 1995; december 1998.


		Mill: 1994 (left) Azud with canal 1995

The azud (dam) is a few hunderd meters upstream. The canal - on the right river-bank - is still used for the irrigation of a field just above the mill where it fades away.

There is nothing left from the balsa except the stone wall on the right.

The water leaves the cárcavo and flows in a covered canal under the pasture towards the river-bed.
Although the opening is small, it is possible to reach the secret parts of the mill.

Solid masonry protects a perfect iron rodete (wheel) with wooden blades. The botana and the valve to control the water-flow are just waiting for the miller at the controls.

The mill of señor Buil is a very good example to gain insight in the functioning of this type of mills.

The upper floor is also certainly worth crossing the river. You can jump.

The workplace is rather in disarray, but all essential elements are present. The mill-stones are protected by the guardapolvo. The tolva is mounted on the guardapolvo. The hopper on the foreground should
be mounted between tolva and guardapolvo.

The cabra is used to lift the stones for maintenance. The tray left is the farinal where the fresh flour is collected.

If your screen and eyes are not too bad, you should be able to discern the control for the levador just in front of the guardapolvo (see enlargement).

I hope you have practised the mill-vocabulary.

Pedro Buils' mill in scaffolding. This picture from 22.XII.1998 shows a new phase in his life: the roof has been redone. Observe the small window not on the older images. The riverbank has been reinforced.

In July 2002 the mill was inaugurated an Etnological Museum with website (Spanish).

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