Kuressaare kindluse pukktuulik, Windmill in Kuressaare, Saaremaa, Estonia
Kuressaare kindluse pukktuulik is a wooden post mill located within the grounds of Kuressaare fortress, a medieval castle in the town of Kuressaare on the Estonian island of Saaremaa. The mill's wooden body sits on a central post so that the whole structure can be rotated to face the wind.
A windmill originally stood near the Mill Bastion in the western part of the fortress until it was destroyed by fire in the late 18th century. The current structure is a reconstruction built using old drawings and descriptions, with parts brought from Hiiumaa, another Estonian island.
The windmill stands near the so-called Mill Bastion on the western side of the fortress, and the name of that bastion still reflects its old purpose. Walking past it today, visitors can see the wooden structure and, when the wind picks up, watch the blades turn as they once did.
The mill sits within the fortress grounds on the western side, and the easiest way to reach it is on foot from the town center. Comfortable shoes are a good idea since paths around the fortress can be uneven.
The reconstruction of this mill was the sixth of its kind carried out on Saaremaa, reflecting the island's long effort to bring its old windmills back into view. The blades and shaft were crafted by an experienced mill builder from Hiiumaa, an island known for keeping that craft alive.
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