Could you imagine flour being ground here long ago? We are standing at the Miradouro do Moinho das Três Cruzes do Calhau. This viewpoint has a rich history. It’s also known as Calhau Viewpoint.
The Miradouro do Moinho das Três Cruzes do Calhau is located in the Parque Recreativo do Calhau. This is within the parish of São Domingos de Benfica. To get here we walked from the car park of Parque Recreativo do Calhau. We went up the long tarmac road. It runs parallel to the soccer ring on the right side. The trail stretches into the woods and always goes up. Finally we reached a glade. This glade guards an old windmill in ruins.
Centuries ago dozens of windmills dotted this landscape. These deactivated windmills, now mostly in ruins, once ground flour. They provided essential flour to the city of Lisbon. Today the Miradouro do Moinho das Três Cruzes do Calhau offers more than just historical echoes.
From here we can see a bit of the east side of Lisbon. The Twin Towers of a luxury condo rise in front of us. They stand beside the Sete Rios Rail Station. You can also spot the suspended curve of the Eixo Norte-Sul, or IP7 road. It’s in front of the enormous office towers.
Some say the landscape isn’t particularly captivating. They say one can’t see much beyond the modern concrete of the big urban area. Yet the walk itself is worthwhile. We are surrounded by nature.
The Miradouro do Moinho das Três Cruzes do Calhau is one of Monsanto’s best-kept secrets. It’s on the northeast side of the park.
Next to the old mill in ruins are two tables. These invite us to have a picnic. It is away from the hustle and bustle.
The views aren’t exactly breathtaking but are surprising nonetheless. We can see from Benfica to Campolide. It passes through Sete Rios.
The Miradouro do Moinho das Três Cruzes do Calhau is more than just a viewpoint. It’s a journey through time. It’s a connection to Lisbon’s industrious past. It’s a reminder of the natural beauty within the city. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of history and nature here.