Moinhos Castle

Moinhos Castle is a fortification built on a commanding hilltop in Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island. The surviving walls offer views across the valley and harbor, while landscaped gardens containing native plant species frame the approach to the grounds.

The fortification was constructed between 1461 and 1470 by Álvaro Martins Homem, making it the first defensive structure built in the Azores archipelago. This early fortress marked the beginning of European military infrastructure in the region.

The site became Alto da Memória in 1856, serving as a memorial space dedicated to King Pedro IV and the restoration of liberal rule in Portugal. This transformation shaped how the location is experienced and understood by those who visit today.

Access to the grounds is through landscaped gardens featuring endemic plant species that frame the approach. Informative panels decorated with traditional azulejo tiles explain the site's history and the mills that once operated in the nearby ravine.

The name Moinhos refers to several mills that once operated in the ravine below the fortress, including Janela, Cova, Picão, and Fábrica mills. These watermills took advantage of the valley's water flow and were key to the local economy of the area.