The history of this flour mill, known as "
Tío Paco" as a tribute to its first owner, dates back to 1838 when Mr.
Francisco Álvarez worked in it as flour maker until 1860. This windmill, located in the
Cartagena countryside, is typically Mediterranean as it uses lateen-sails instead of blades, with eight rods, cone shape and a rotating roof allowing it to adapt to the wind direction.
The 14 windmills still standing in the municipality of Torre Pacheco were used for making flour or moving water. Ever since 2007, all windmills in the Region of Murcia are protected and considered sites of Cultural Interest. The Torre Pacheco City Hall has restored four of them which are maintained constantly. The windmills are part of a tourist route known as "la fábrica del viento" (Wind Factory). If you want to visit these windmills, book a tour at the municipal tourist office.