mólins

Mólins is the plural form in Catalan for mill, and is commonly used to refer to windmills and other milling installations. Historically, mólins ground grain, pressed oil, or drained water, and they often occupied prominent spots in rural landscapes due to their dependence on wind or water power. The term is related to the Spanish molino and French moulin, reflecting a shared Romance-language heritage.

Design and operation: Traditional mólins are typically categorized as post mills or tower mills. In a post mill, the whole wooden body rests on a single supporting post and can be turned to face the wind. Tower mills are taller structures, with the cap rotating to align the sails. Sails drive gears that transfer motion to millstones that grind grain. Some later mills used gears for water pumping or grain handling.

Historical context and distribution: Wind-powered mills spread across medieval Europe. In the Iberian Peninsula, mólins were common in rural districts and feature in historical maps and literature. The windmills of La Mancha in Spain are among the best-known examples in popular culture, especially due to Cervantes.

Preservation and modern relevance: Many mólins survive as cultural landmarks, museums, or private sites. Some have been restored for heritage tourism, while others remain ruinous reminders of earlier technology. Today, they symbolize rural ingenuity and the transition from traditional wind- and water-powered machinery to modern energy systems.