Story

In the historical narrative published by the Municipality, these community mills belonged to the Crown and half of the income was destined to the King. The same description refers to the later passage to a symbolic tax. The name of the place thus opens a window on the economic organization of the milling.

The income mentioned concerns the economic activity of the mill. It should not be converted, without further information, into a rule according to which each person delivers half of the cereal bag to the king. The presentation does not indicate accounts, milled quantities or the date of transition to symbolic tax.

When visiting the history of the Moinhos de Rei, you can ask two different questions: how did water reach the mill and how were the benefits of grinding distributed? The lead helps to follow the first; the reference to the Crown opens the second. Technique, organization and income are part of the same work landscape.

A municipal report of 2012 highlights a sculpture of Santa Maria belonging to the church of Outeiro, dating from the 13th or 14th century. The Virgin appears crowned, seated on a throne, with the Child on his knees. The account says that the play was found buried in the place known as Mata da Santa and taken by parishioners to church. The news doesn't date the discovery. This story allows to know the path of the image, without confirming where it is currently exposed.

In describing the Tâmega in 1758, the vicar refers mills that worked in the summer, in front of the parish, in the limits of São Pedro de Atei. He also recalls traces of attempts to build levadas and dams in the neighborhoods.

The reference shows how the report crosses the river. The mentioned mills are on the bank of Atei: this reading does not transform them into patrimony located in Cabeceiras or confirms traces visitable today.