The Molí d’en Mateu is the neighbor of the best known of one of the most photographed mills of Formentera: the molí d’en Jeroni.
Flour windmill in Sant Francesc
The molí d’en Mateu is the “brother” of the other mill in the area of Sa Miranda, in Sant Francesc, the molí d’en Jeroni. It was built in the middle of the 19th century by the Verdera Mateu family, the family from which the mill took its name.
History of the Mateu mill
Like its neighbor Molí d’en Jeroni, Molí d’en Mateu was built on the highlands of the island of Formentera to make the most of the exposure to the wind.
The peculiarity of this mill was that during its last years of operation, its machinery was improved and another pair of grinding stones were installed on the lower floor in order to increase its performance.
In 1958, after a heavy storm, it lost its antennae and never came into operation again, as happened with the other three mills of Formentera that were still able to grind grain.
Restoration work on the mill years later turned it into a small dwelling and it still is today, although the original antennas and machinery have been preserved.
How to get to Molí d’en Mateu?
Molí d’en Mateu is located to the west of the village of Sant Francesc, on the hill known as Sa Miranda. If you are in the Sant Francesc church square, head northwest on the Portossaler road; it will take you no more than 15 minutes to reach the mill.
Visiting the Mateu mill
The Molí d’en Mateu can only be seen from the street: it is currently in private ownership.
Other mills in Formentera
The molí d’en Mateu can not be visited because it is privately owned and is on land not accessible to the public, but here is a list of all the mills of Formentera.
If you want to visit a mill in Formentera you have the Molí de la Mola at your disposal, fully restored and open to the public:
