A jump into the past
Local Natural Monument
POÇO NEGRO WATERFALLS
GEOSITE
6
Poço Negro waterfalls are located in Pego stream and are related to an old coastal cliff.
About 20 million years ago, when climate was warmer than today, sea level was higher.
In the course of time, tectonics lifted the continent in relation to sea level.
As a consequence, several flattened surfaces were formed due to sea erosion.
About 2.5 million years ago, a period of global cooling originated a sea level fall.
At the same time, tectonics continued to lift the continent.
The fast sea level fall originated the costal cliff where Poço do Negro waterfalls are located.
Eighteen thousand years ago, sea level was about 130 meters below today’s level, and the coast line was 40 km from the current position. Since then, sea level has risen.
These waterfalls were formed due to a fast sea level fall and the consequent formation of a coastal cliff.
Water power
Poço Negro waterfalls are located in Pêgo stream. Due to its high slope, more than 60 watermills were built along this stream. The ruins of the watermills can be visited in this Local Natural Monument.
The water was collected upstream and channeled to the casters. The casters moved the grinders that ground the cereals.
Along the causeway there are grooves on the pavement made by the carriages that transported cereals and flour.
A mill is a building equipped with machinery for grinding cereals, or less frequently, rocks (for ore extraction), olives, or even to wood sawing. Some mills use the wind as a source of energy while others use water.
You have the chance to visit the Fairy Watermill which was rebuilt according to its initial operation.
