La Molina de La Charca Museum
An emblem of the rural and cereal heritage of Puerto del Rosario.
The Museum of La Molina de La Charca is one of the most representative heritage elements of Puerto del Rosario and Fuerteventura, living testimony of the cereal history of the island and symbol of its agricultural identity. Its recovery has preserved an essential part of the majorera memory linked to the milling of grain and the production of gofio.
History and location
Built in the summer of 1878 by the Tenerife merchant Domingo Ángel Adrián, the mill was erected in a strategic area then located on the outskirts of Puerto Cabras (now Puerto del Rosario), at the confluence of the roads to Tetir and El Time. Its purpose was the milling of cereals such as rye, barley, oats and corn, essential for local food and the production of gofio, one of the most traditional products of the Canary Islands.
Architectural features
The Molina de La Charca is distinguished by its rectangular, single-story structure, crowned by a wooden tower that supported the milling mechanism and four blades of more than three meters. Its design, simpler and more portable than that of traditional mills, allowed the structure to be moved if necessary.
The original building was erected with stone masonry, mud, lime, sand and straw, following the construction techniques of the time. It had three distinct parts: the tower, the machinery and the annexes, which served as storage, living and office areas.
Restoration and heritage value
After ceasing its activity in the second third of the 20th century, the mill fell into disuse and deterioration. However, between 2021 and 2022, a comprehensive restoration was carried out that respected its original design and materials. Thanks to this intervention, the building has recovered its splendor and has become a symbol of the heritage recovery of the neighborhood of La Charca and Puerto del Rosario.
Today, the Molina de La Charca is one of the few preserved examples of Canary Island “molinas”, and its enhancement highlights the importance of preserving the agricultural and architectural heritage of the island.
Current use and visit
Currently, the space functions as a museum and cultural center open to the public, where you can learn about the traditional milling process, the tools used and the importance of cereals in the economy of Fuerteventura. In addition, its environment offers a journey through rural history and socio-economic transformations that marked the development of Fuerteventura.
Visiting the Molina de La Charca is an opportunity to discover the popular architecture, the cereal culture and the constructive ingenuity that characterized the ancient inhabitants of the island.
