Puntos de Interés
Culture
The Gofio Interpretation Museum
The Gofio Interpretation Museum, housed within the Las Tricias windmill, is one of the key points for understanding the agricultural and gastronomic tradition of the island of La Palma.
Gofio is a food made mainly from wheat, but can also be made from maize and blends of up to seven cereals. It is known for its high nutritional value and for its various forms of consumption, as it is used both in simple dishes and can also be added to soups and even creative desserts. This flour is essential in the past and present of the island, as it was already made by the Benahoaritas, the ancient inhabitants of these lands, who toasted wheat seeds and fern roots, which they then ground with hand-operated stone wheels.
The museum is housed within Las Tricias windmill, in the municipality of Garafía. The windmill was built in 1908 and moved to its present location in 1915 to improve wind conditions. It stands as a monument and piece of infrastructure that has been passed down through generations of millers and carpenters. In 1945 an auxiliary engine was added and, in 2000, Garafía Council acquired the structure for its restoration and subsequent use as a museum space.
The process of grinding gofio flour traditionally involved the use of both wind and water mills. In addition, the miller would play the bucio, a traditional instrument, to indicate that he was ready to continue milling.
The museum offers exhibitions, information panels and videos to understand the palm tree tradition and to walk through the wheat and cereal fields. It is also close to the Astronomical Viewpoint of Buracas, which offers beautiful views by day and opportunities for planet and star gazing by night.