Mills are an important part of our territory.

Currently in disuse due to technological advancement and the emergence of new, more efficient grinding systems, mills are no longer used for the function for which they were designed and created. That is why they are being lost, which means not only a loss of our agro-industrial heritage, but also the loss of a very important part of our roots and our history.

The dissemination of its functional systems is a great opportunity to remember and reactivate artisanal and traditional production.

In 2013, the Cultural Association "La Fontanella" of Costur initiated, together with the University Extension Program of the Universitat Jaume I de Castellón (PEU-UJI), a socialization process of its local cultural heritage.

In these years, the association has carried out several activities in which heritage and education – heritage education – have been the central axis to place the neighbors of Costur around their heritage.

The projects that the group is carring out are several:  cultural routes, restoration of historical structures, participatory process, workshops… where all these actions are a symptom of a strong sense of identity and civic pride.

Costur is a town in the interior of the province of Castellón that is located in the region of L'Alcalatén and has approximately 500 inhabitants. Among its cultural and natural heritage historically had a group of flour mills that as time goes by they have been disappearing or being abandoned falling into a lamentable state of ruin.

Among the activities organized by the association La Fontanella, is the awareness of its entire population of the patrimonial wealth they have

The workshop has all the materials necessary for the execution not only constructively and volumetrically but, and most importantly, the mechanism of operation of the wheels, paddles, wallower...
The preparation of an individual kit for each of the participants, to ensure the health measures of the moment.

Heritage education activities accentuate the sense of identity and strengthen basic pedagogical values. The activity makes part of the Sustainable Development Goals, aligned with SDG4, SDG5 and SDG11...

The activity is organizased  by the cultural association La Fontanella de Costur,  design by ARAE Patrimonio and supported by PEU UJI (University Jaume I - Extension Programme Accompanying Program) and makes part of the "Real Fábrica y Territorio" participatory process.

This activity has the potential to become an example which can be adopted by other communities or cultural association which work into a heritage participatory process. The objectives of this project are common and could be extrapolated to other European projects. For example, we promote democratic, inclusive and participatory approach to the of cultural heritage, focused on respect for historical and cultural heritage which strengths identity.  The activity is also open towards all social actors, including minority groups, young people and children.