Molino de Valles de Ortega

Does the Molino de Valles de Ortega hold the secrets to Fuerteventura’s past? Here, in the heart of Los Gomeros in the municipality of Antigua, stands the Molino de Valles de Ortega. The Molino de Valles de Ortega is a testament to the island’s agricultural history and a unique example of Canarian ingenuity. Unlike the traditional tower mills, this mill, built in the late 19th century, boasts a distinctive rectangular design. The Molino de Valles de Ortega is topped with a square, wooden tower that supports its impressive rotor. What makes the Molino de Valles de Ortega truly special is that it is the only one on Fuerteventura that still has all twelve of its original blades. The Molino de Valles de Ortega whispers tales of ambitious plans and unforeseen setbacks. In the 1940s, a businessman named Salvador Falero Lόpez moved the Molino de Valles de Ortega here from La Palma, dreaming of a large-scale milling operation. He implemented a modern, double-grinding system. But alas, things didn’t go to plan. The Molino de Valles de Ortega faced technical difficulties and saw limited use. Some whisper that the mill’s troubles were due to disagreements between the owner and the builder, Cristobal Guardiel. Today, the Molino de Valles de Ortega stands silent, a designated Bien de Interés Cultural since 1994. But even in its stillness, the Molino de Valles de Ortega speaks volumes about Fuerteventura’s heritage and the enduring power of the wind that sweeps across this beautiful island.