Molino de Sagrera windmill and viewing point in Águilas
The restored windmill in Águilas is part of a tour through the old fishermen’s quarter
The Molino Sagrera is a restored windmill in the heart of the old town of Águilas, serving not only as a reminder of the past, when such buildings were common in this area, but also as an interesting stop-off point on a walk around the narrow hillside streets of this part of the town. In fact, it is on one of the routes recommended by the Águilas tourist office.
This is the area where the fishermen of old made their homes, and although it is perhaps not the most salubrious district of Águilas, it is reminiscent of seaside hill towns throughout Europe in its narrow alleyways, roughly the width of one motor vehicle or less. The climb up the hill is not an easy one, and is best avoided in the midday heat of the summer months, but once at the windmill and the nearby viewing point, the view makes the effort worthwhile.
The remains of mills from at least 4,000 years ago have been discovered in various parts of the municipality of Águilas – a Roman mill which would have been turned by cattle stands is featured in the Plaza de España - but the Molino Sagrera mill dates from the 18th and 19th centuries. It features a round parasol shaped wing rather than the blades favoured in other parts of Spain and Europe, a design which was typical in the Region of Murcia.
The mill was recently restored in a 500,000 euro project. An exhibition room has been created on the ground floor and houses an exhibition relating to the esparto grass weaving past of the municipality.
The nearby viewing point makes use of what until recently was a piece of waste ground on the top of the Sagrera hill, and includes a modernistic structure which provides shade for visitors and panoramic views in all directions. It is no more than a 2-minute walk north of the windmill, and is reached by following an alleyway north, keeping the bay in view, and taking a left turn.
Opening hours:
Click here to see opening hours of the windmill and other places of interest in Águilas
How to reach the Molino Sagrera
From the tourist office head back into town towards the Plaza España, but turn right before reaching it on Calle Jovellanos. On reaching Plaza Dr Fortún take Calle de la Gloria from the north-eastern corner of the square, and turn right after a hundered metres or so on to Calle Molino. At the top of the hill turn right again to reach the windmill.
For further information about where to go, what to visit, what's on, useful numbers and local news etc go to the Águilas town page.