Last Saturday, the molino des Caragol, located in the Pla de Sant Jordi area of Palma, served as the backdrop for two guided tours as part of the European Heritage Days (JEP) programme. Approximately fifty participants took part in this event, which offered insights into the characteristics of this heritage site and the restoration efforts undertaken.
The molino des Caragol is a circular windmill used for water extraction, associated with a reservoir. It is believed to have been constructed in the early decades of the 20th century, linked to traditional water management systems in the Pla de Sant Jordi region. Over time, a lack of maintenance led to the growth of vegetation around the site and the deterioration of various elements, including dry stone walls and irrigation channels. Additionally, the windmill's machinery had been dismantled years prior due to damage caused by a windstorm.
Restoration work, which began in January 2026, has encompassed the windmill, the reservoir, the shed covering the well access, the neck of the waterwheel, the machinery, and the immediate surroundings. The efforts included clearing and landscaping the area, repairing stone walls, restoring the irrigation channels and reservoir, and refurbishing the machinery at the historical-industrial heritage workshop of the Consell de Mallorca.
This initiative is part of the Programme for the Restoration of Water Extraction Windmills in the Pla de Sant Jordi area, scheduled for the period 2024-2027, and has been carried out in collaboration with the property owner.
The European Heritage Days is an initiative by the Council of Europe involving over fifty countries, aimed at bringing cultural heritage closer to the public through guided tours and other educational activities. In Spain, the coordination falls under the Ministry of Culture, through the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain (IPCE). This year's theme, "Heritage at risk: revitalising, resisting, and reimagining," encourages reflection on the protection of cultural heritage, particularly elements and traditions that are vulnerable, as well as the possibilities for preserving and keeping them alive for future generations.
