Mystery owner tries to sell Javea mill

Javea town hall formally registered ownership of five of the 11 La Plana windmills last year.

The windmills – registered as Mills One, Two, Three, Seven and Eight – were always considered municipal property, but one is now on the market.

A private owner is asking €160,000 for Mill Three and For Sale notices have appeared on the walls of the 18th century building.

It also appears on an estate agent’s website, where it is described as a 450-square metre property in the Montgo national park with water, electricity and “excellent views of Montgo and Javea Bay.”

The windmill belongs to Javea, stressed Heritage councillor Antonio Miragall when questioned by the local Spanish media.

The town hall was “scrupulous” when registering the five mills in the inventory of municipal assets. “The object was to protect and preserve this legacy,” Miragall said.   

The La Plana windmills were built between the 14th and 18th centuries when wheat and grain were important crops in the area.

They fell into disuse towards the beginning of the 20^th century when the millstones and machinery were removed.