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4.6 Preservation of the local architecture

In all island communities the preservation of local architecture is key for attracting visitors, keeping
the islanders in their environment and keeping up crafts skills. Strict rules are applied to keep the
roofing, size and colours of the houses close to the original. In several locations, heritage protected
buildings have been or will be adapted for new, modern use for tourist or business development
purposes.
On the island of Kythnos, a tourism project to promote the island’s sustainable energy history is
planned to be housed in currently abandoned venues, which will be redeveloped and demonstrate
the island’s heritage.
Ideas for adapting the old windmills of Mallorca, which transported water, to renewable energy
windmills are emerging. The project would not be only about renewable energy, but also about
landscape conservation.
On Favignana, the old tuna factory has been redeveloped to house a museum and possibly other
relevant functions in the future. This example could be useful for Île d’Yeu that also owns an old
canning factory in the harbour, which is currently not in use.

4.7 Cultural and heritage centre

Wind has been used for economic purposes on most islands. On Saaremaa, on Angla, the wind has
been used for milling. Several farmers set up their windmills in the same windy setting. All the
windmills were built to catch the wind, as wind direction changes from winter to summer.
Four of the five Angla windmills are typical trestle windmills
characteristic of Saaremaa. They were built at the beginning
of the 20th century. A Dutch-style windmill, slightly taller
than the others and built in 1927, stands in the middle of
the group. All the five windmills, which were on the verge
of vanishing, have been restored and are open to the
public.
Angla Windmill Park and the Heritage Culture Centre are
operated as a single unit.

Angla Windmill Mount, Saaremaa, Estonia Website for the initiative: www.anglatuulik.eu

4.8 Geoparks

A geopark is a unified area that promotes the protection and use of geological heritage in a sustainable
way, along with the economic well-being of the people who live there. There are global geoparks and
national geoparks. Around the world, there are 120 global geoparks and many national geoparks,
including Saarte Geopark on Saaremaa island.
“Geoconnect” is a set of tools enabling geoparks to communicate with each other. A geographical
system is being developed to get the information using one single application. Saarte Geopark is the
geological park on Saaremaa, which is leading the development of linking up the world’s geoparks. The
tested and developed application may bring more visitors to Saaremaa, as the linked up information
would encourage geopark visitors to seek out the one on Saaremaa.
Website for the initiative: www.saartegeopark.ee

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