The windmill restored in 1969

The remains of the windmills, an object of heritage culture located at Ruhnu village. According to the old maps and memories of local people, Ruhnu island had altogether 8 windmills. All windmills were located on the west edge of the village. Today all the windmills are destroyed, millstones can be found in different farm yards. Only one windmill’s bigwheel with the top of the shaft from wooden parts has preserved next to Ruhnu museum. According to traditions, three windmills were destroyed by the explosion of a sea mine found by Ruhnu youngsters in 1920. The windmills were finally dismantled during the land-improvement. In 1969 one of the windmills was restored for Kihnu-Ruhnu games.

Ruhnu windmills were typical in windy seaside areas post windmills, with entire body of the mill revolved atop a post. The body made of boards was fastened to a revolving log fastened crosswise to a thick mast-like post – the mother tree. The ceiling of the windmill was in turn supported on the revolving wood. The grinding mechanism was on the top floor. It was a shaft with blades and gears that made the grindstones turn. The grain was poured into a funnel-shaped box. From there it was directed between the millstones, and the ground flour ran into the flour box located on the ground level. The tailpole as fastened to the mill’s body at the bottom of the stairs. Ruhnu windmills had four blades.

Created in 2013