The Origin of Mogán and the Windmill

Mogán: The Forgotten Village and Puerto de Mogán have mysterious origins. The municipality of Mogán includes the boroughs of Arguineguin, Puerto de Mogán, Puerto Rico, Amadores and Playa de Taurito. A beautiful route leads along the Barranco de Mogán, between Puerto de Mogán and Mogán.

Mogán is known for having one of the best climates in the world, ranking first in the world for the number of days of sunshine. In addition to its sunny weather, the town is also notorious for the “Moganero weather”. These southern storms, which usually occur once a decade, cause flooding and major waterlogging in the island’s ravines. Thanks to these floods, the many dams, reservoirs, ponds and other water storage systems can store water for months.

Geography and Economy

Mogán is located 12 km from the port town of Puerto de Mogán and borders San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The economy is mainly based on tourism and agriculture, including lemon, mango, papaya and banana plantations.

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History of the Artists’ Village

IIn the past, tomatoes and salt were the main sources of income. The church “San Antonio” from 1814, with its beautiful wooden paneling and statues of St. Anthony of Padua, is an important attraction. Read more below the photos

Mogán was once an artists’ village, which can be seen from the many mosaic tiles. The village was founded in 1833 as protection against pirate attacks and was isolated in 1851 due to a cholera epidemic. At that time, food supplies were supplied by small steamers, which then moored at the then non-existent Puerto de Mogán. Under the Franco regime, the village became isolated again during the Second World War.

The export of tomatoes and bananas was then restricted. The population suffered from hunger and poverty, just like other villages on Gran Canaria.

Mogán is still not touristically developed, which gives visitors the chance to experience the authentic life of Gran Canaria. The inhabitants, called “Moganeros“, welcome you on the terrace of the only bar in the village

Emigration in Canary Islands

Today, the Canary Islands are a popular destination for emigrants from Europe, America and Africa. However, not so long ago, the situation was reversed, and many people actually left from the Canary Islands. Municipalities like Mogán, in particular, owe their existence largely to this history of emigration. (Source: Historian Jesús Emiliano Rodríguez Calleja)

Mogán and its Beautiful Nature

A few kilometres from the coastline of Puerto de Mogán you can admire the most beautiful massif of the southeast. This massif “El Mulato” has an exceptionally beautiful landscape and is of great archaeological value. All this mountain range from Puerto de Mogan to the interior forms the “Reserva Natural Integral de Inagua” and “Parque Rural de Nublo“.

Here you can see the Tabaibales (Spurge), a slope between Mogán and Veneguera. If you are exploring, be sure to visit the Veneguera Canyon (Barranco de Veneguera). This nature reserve used to be the connection between north and south before there was a road.

The colorful rock formation “Los Azulejos” is popular with hikers and photographers. The river “Barranco de Mogán” starts in the Inagua nature reserve, makes a stop at “Presa del Mulato” and flows into the sea at the fishing port of Puerto de Mogán. Inagua, a protected nature reserve of 3920 hectares, is known for its pine forests and bird populations, including the endangered blue finch.
Read more below the photos

Around Inagua you can relax and swim in the reservoirs “Embalse de la Cueva de las Niñas” and “Presa de Soria“. This area was declared a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO in 2005. In the nature reserve there is a meeting center for hikers and tourists. Together with Inagua, Oreda and Pajonales are known for the mountains and the best preserved pine forests of Gran Canaria. In combination with the majestic canyons, this nature reserve is definitely worth a visit.

Landscapes and Flora

The fauna and flora are very important for water supply and soil protection. The forests are also important for the conservation of the bird population, including several endangered native species. Here, the pine trees are a shelter for the birds. The entire nature reserve falls within the districts of Mogán, Tejeda and San Nicolas de Tolentino.

During the 2014-2015 period, the Gran Canaria Nature Conservancy planted 26,000 new plants for reforestation in this southern region of the island. Especially pines and junipers have been planted for the gently sloping slopes. In this nature reserve you will find mainly pine trees, pines and spurge.

Visit to Molino Quemado in Mogán: A Historic Monument with Modern Furnishings

The “Molino Quemado” (Burnt Mill), also known as the “Windmill of Mogán,” has been recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) since 2008. During my visit, I discovered that this mill was recently equipped with a museum facility, complete with models and interactive touchscreens with multimedia applications. These facilities offer visitors comprehensive information about the history and function of the monument and other mills on the island.

Three Floors of Information

The mill has three floors, each with its own thematic content:

1. First Floor: Here I see three models showing the history of the Molino Quemado and other mill types in the Canary Islands (water mills, blood mills and hand mills). An interactive touch screen provides educational multimedia information in both Spanish and English about the various mills on the island.
2. Second Floor: This floor shows parts of the mill system and offers information about the different grains that were milled in this historic mill. Through the interactive application, I discover how wheat, barley and corn were turned into gofio, as well as the different grains grown in Gran Canaria.
3. Third Floor: Here the function of all parts of the Molino Quemado is explained. This floor also offers a display case with a traditional hand mill, a mortar and displays of different grains and legumes.

This authentic example of a corn mill with a diameter of 12 meters, is heritage and was restored in 1998. The windmill is known to the villagers as the “Burned Mill“. The mill, built in the 19th century, got this name because a pastor at the time had set fire to the windmill in revenge. During the reconstruction in 1930, the mill was run on steam.

A Cultural Highlight

The museum setting of the Windmill is an important addition to the cultural heritage of Mogán. In addition to the archaeological area “Cañada de Los Gatos“, where a new reception area was recently opened, the museum of “Molino Quemado” is now open. In the near future, a museum of traditional fishing will also be opened in Playa de Mogán. This will give Mogán three museums and a prominent place on the museum map of Gran Canaria.

The outdoor area of ​​”Molino Quemado” includes a reception and administration building, toilets, and a light canopy with recycled materials to provide shade. There is also a sales area for local products. The outdoor area of ​​Molino Quemado functions as a square, including fields for growing cereals (wheat, barley, rye, and corn) that can be worked by the residents.

How do you get to Mogán?

Mogán(map) can be reached by car or mountain bike via the GC-200. The road follows the river“Barranco de Mogán” and leads to the“Molino de Viento“, the restored windmill from the 19th century. From Mogán you can also walk to the mill on foot, this is only a few hundred meters. By public transport, you can take bus No. 38 to Mogán and the windmill. Puerto de Mogán can be reached by car via the GC-1 or the coastal road C-500 and C-812. The village of Mogán can be reached by bus No. 84. In total, there are six bus lines to and from Puerto de Mogán.

Puerto de Mogán

This picturesque port town designed by the artist Ralph Neville, is located in the westernmost part of southern Gran Canaria. Puerto de Mogan ( map ) is actually the beach and marina of the municipality of Mogán and about 180 years old.

Climatically, Puerto de Mogan is well located. It can even count on more hours of sunshine than, for example, Maspalomas or Playa del Ingles. Due to the many canals that wind their way between the houses, Puerto de Mogan is popularly called”The Venice of Gran Canaria.” The small fishing port is very popular with photographers. More info on Puerto de Mogan…

Share Your Experiences and Suggestions about Mogán!

Have you been to Mogán and the Windmill recently? We would love to hear about your adventures and recommendations! Your insights help us keep our tourism page updated and improved. Whether you’ve discovered a hidden gem, found a great restaurant or bar, or have tips for other travelers, your feedback is invaluable. Share your experiences and suggestions with us verschueren.eddy@gmail.com and help others get the most out of their visit to this beautiful island. Together we will create the ultimate guide to Gran Canaria!