Orbetello's lagoon, Italy
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Houston Methodist Hospital

There is one remaining windmill located within Orbetello’s lagoon on the Tuscan coast of Italy. The old town sits in the middle of the lagoon, defended by its medieval walls. Originally, in the 1500s, the Spanish crown built nine windmills. Powered by the water currents as well as by wind, they were used to grind wheat. Using special handmade ships, the wheat was taken to Orbetello.
At dusk and dawn, the lone windmill stands out of the lagoon reflecting its image between water and sky. The colors of its stones and wall plaster merge with those of the clouds, while the last white herons return to the windmill to rest. It’s a magical view that brings back the past of this old tower in eerie and surreal surroundings, here and now.