Las Eras or San Francisco Mill

A MILL PLACED IN SAN FRANCISCO PARK

Las Eras Mill is placed in the present San Francisco Park, at the right bank of the River Guadaíra, almost opposite to La Tapada Mill. The origin of this building is not precise, although until the end of the last century, there was a small clay plaque which read the year 1605, maybe pointing to its original building.

At the beginning of the 18th century its belonging to the Convent of St. Mary of the Angels, of the Franciscan Order, is mentioned. That is the reason why this mill is also known as "San Francisco's" (Saint Francis), as a reference to the close monastic establishment located at the surroundings since mid-16th century.

In Las Eras Mill, grinding was made with water coming from the aquifer, channelled through the "pipes of Carmona" gallery. It is not known whether channelling to Las Eras was made by the Franciscan monks from the main pipe of Santa Lucia or from the close La Mina Mill. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the 17th century several disputes for the right to use the exceeding water from the Concejo Fountain took place; this fountain was located by El Perejil, and it was probably used as secondary water pipe for grinding. The problem rested on its sharing use with neighbour Rodete Mill, placed next to the bridge, which disappeared finally along the 17th century.

Like La Tapada Mill, Las Eras Mill is a spring mill, although water was not channelled through an aqueduct, but directly from a reservoir connected to the bucket, that moved two millstones.