Watermills

Xubia and As Aceas

- Introduction. - Historical development. - The first Mills in Naron.

- Current status of these

Mills. -Conclusions.

Xubia As Aceas

Ferrol

In this work we present an overview of the origin, evolution and present state of mills, and most especially of watermills. They had a great importance in the history of mankind and they remain as a clear evidence of the intelligence of man to improve the processing food industry, particularly in the evolution and development of Galicia and more specifically in areas close to Ferrol.

These instruments can be defined as machines capable of grinding, crushing and preparing seeds, grain and other products by means of rotating wheels, cylinders or any similar mechanism.

Flour mill Oil mill Chocolate mill

Mineral mill

There is a great variety of mills, depending on the products to be treated: flour mills, oilers, chocolate (for crushing the cocoa) and those used for minerals, etc Regarding energy and machines employed by each mill there are different types according to the product to be ground.

In order to set up the mills in our geographical area (Galician Atlantic Coast), it was taken into account the estuaries of rivers because they had the appropriate conditions.

The Xubia River, called Ro Grande de Xubia with plenty of water throughout the year, was the most suited place for the construction of mills, with an estuary close by and a navigable port for galleons, and suitable for the loading and the unloading of flour.

The first Mill in Naron

Factory location

Nowadays there are two extraordinary mills in Narn, one of them is The Royal Factory of Juan Lestache (Reales Fbricas de la Casa de Juan Lestache), close to the Jubia Bridge, and the other is The Royal Flour Factory (Real Fbrica de Harinas), in Las Aceas del Ponto.

On the right side of the Jubias River estuary, we can find an extraordinary mill dated back to the end of 18th century. This Mill was part of the industrial group created by Mr. John Lestache Nugue and Francisco Bucan, consisting of a flour mill, a paper mill, a copper factory and the great Tannery Royal Factory.

In the Ponto estuary, very close to the aforementioned mill there is another extraordinary construction, also from the 18th century: the tide mill of The Royal Flour Factory known as Aceas de Lembeye.

These two mills were well known for its technological characteristics and grinding ability. The first one, came to grind 300,000 bushels (about three million kilos) a year; while in the second case the amount was 120,000 bushels (about one million two hundred thousand kilos). 1 Fanega = 1.5 Bushels

Condition of the access to the tidal mill As Aceas do Ponto A forgotten eighteenth century jewel

After so many years of neglect, and barely able to stand, nowadays, the complex has severe damage on roofs and floors. Without cleaning works and a significant consolidation, the ruin will be inevitable. An idea of the current state of the mills can be given by the fact that we found it impossible to visit it, due to the risk of an accident.

Ferrol

Xubia Narn

Conclusions We would want to highlight the importance that, despite its apparent humility, these mills have had on the economic and social aspect, from the late 18th century, in our region. The factories of Lestache and Lambeye were among the largest in the country. To the relevance of the production of flour must be added other not minor factors, as trade, export and import of grain and other craft type activities. Xuvia mills were highly praised in the 18th century. Larruga defined them as "an advantageous construction" while Cornide considers the Lestaches initiative as "worthy of public memory".

European workshop More Than Neighbours Teamwork Antonio Domnguez Bemposta Arantza Ajuria Mendoza Beln Ruano Santamarina Fernanda Faraldo Roca Luz Caldern Garca Javier Solloso Leal

M Carmen Varela Guntn

Coordinadora: Pilar Millor