Maipez Aqueduct and Water Mill

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Industrial architecture · Year: 1899

On the ascent of Piquillo, Dragonal Bajo, at the height of the Jardín Canario, in an area known as Maipez, Malpaís, Malpeís, Maype or Mocán, we find a magnificent hydraulic complex composed of an aqueduct and a mill, both now out of use but well preserved.

The aqueduct was built in 1899 with the aim of crossing the Guiniguada ravine and carrying the elevated water to the mill responsible for grinding the cereal. This artificial conduit is of considerable proportions and consists of about ten semicircular arches supported by strong ashlar blocks, a material also used for the supporting piers. The rest of the construction is made of well-aligned rubble stone and mortar. 

The mill, located to the east, was completed in 1901 and is a narrow building made of ashlar stone just over ten metres high with a flat roof. The complex also included a small adjoining house for the miller, storage rooms and stables for the animals that brought the products to be milled there.  

The entire complex remained active until 1943 and currently, despite its abandonment, it still presents an admirable appearance due to its great beauty adapted to the magnificent landscape in which it is situated.

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