Spanish mill
Built on the waters of the magnificent Orbetello Lagoon, this windmill is the last of what were nine grain mills built in the 1500s.
In the past, the mills exploited the force of the lagoon's water to grind the grain, which was then sent back to Orbetello on small craft boats, some of which are now on display at the Talamone Aquarium.
If that sounds awkward, it was. Subsequently a small bridge was built to connect them to the mainland and the ruins of that bridge are still visible today on the banks of the lagoon.
According to locals, the windmill we see today didn't originally spin and only started working after the Spanish fixed it and added their own little touches.
I imagine that the Italian architects before them couldn't understand the mechanisms.
