Before the introduction of electricity water was an important ‘industrial’ energy source through out Aldeias do Xisto. Today water mills (moinhos- where flower is produced for bread making) and olive mills/pressers (lagars- where olive oil is produced) are used by local population in few villages only.However once you become aware to the amount of these buildings and their remains in this region (almost every village has some) you also become aware of how mankind harnessed the power of water in the past and how we can do so again in the future as renewable energy.
In our mapping of the region for these water energy facilities and their infrastructure the village of Figueira stood out as a good example for comprehensive use and management of this resource, both in dry seasons when it’s scarce and in wet seasons when the water are over flowing and flooding the local river.
Study of Figueira River
In the following photos from top to bottom: 1, 4, 9 & 10 - Wells. There are many wells in figueira, with and with out pointiera (sort of a water pump), these are either filled with flood water, or are part of an underground river.
In the following photos from top to bottom: 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 - These (Thick) Schist walls had dual functionality:
1-Water storage which could later on be released in order to power the moinho and lagar that are down the stream.
2- prevention of land erosion, these strong walls kept the water stream in its course.
Bellow: 8- Dam & Gate: The Dam directed the water into the channel that leads to the moinho & lagar when needed. The moinho & lagar did not operate 24/7 however. The gate stopped the flow of water when the moinho & lagar were not in use.
11- Water canal: In dry season water was pumped from the wells & through the canal for either irrigation or for operating the moinho or the lagar.
Bellow: 12- Derelict Moinho
Bellow: 13- Destryed Lagar
Bellow: 14- The Water Canal that leads to the active lagar.
bellow: 15- Active Lagar
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