The “Valle dei Mulini”, or “Valley of the Mills” in Sorrento, not far from Naples, is an extraordinary site. Exceptionally lush greenery surrounds as far as the eye can see and, enveloped and reclaimed by this natural beauty, are a group of ruins of mills that were active until the twentieth century and eventually abandoned in the 1940s. Now the area is hauntingly beautiful and a reminder of the power of nature and impermanent nature of the creations of men.
If you want to experience this fascinating corner of the globe for yourself, find a villa with pool in Sorrento and take a day out of a wonderful holiday to stop by and admire the site.
If you want to experience this fascinating corner of the globe for yourself, find a villa with pool in Sorrento and take a day out of a wonderful holiday to stop by and admire the site.
Around 35,000 years ago, a volcanic eruption carved a deep valley into the limestone plateau next to the old town of Sorrento. Water running through the area carved out channels to the sea and settlements were established in the area. Evidence of these early settlements exist in the pre-historic Nicolucci Cave and at Gaudo in the Piano of Sorrento.
The two streams of water that forged the valley, the Casarlano-Cesarano and Saint Antonino, created very narrow gorges and only where the two streams meet does the gorge widen significantly. This is where the Valley of the Mills is located.
The two streams of water that forged the valley, the Casarlano-Cesarano and Saint Antonino, created very narrow gorges and only where the two streams meet does the gorge widen significantly. This is where the Valley of the Mills is located.
This name comes from the mills that were built in the valley. The first, established in the tenth century AD, was a wheat-grinding. Flour mills were first established successfully in the area and then other industrial groups moved in to take advantage of the constant flow of water through the area. A sawmill was built which was used by Sorrentine cabinet makers. Next, a public wash-house was established for the use of the women in the area in order to launder their clothes and for personal hygiene.
When Tasso Square was built nearby in 1866, it isolated the area from the sea and there was a sharp rise in the humidity of the valley.
This made the area unbearable and led to the eventual abandonment of the valley and its mills. Furthermore, the milling of flour shifted to nearby pasta mills and the area of industry in valley became obsolete. The mills were closed and officially abandoned in the 1940s.
The humidity in the area also led to the creation of a new micro-climate which allowed for the growth of rich and spontaneous vegetation which is rather unheard of in the south of Italy. Among the plants that began to thrive is the rare, Phillitis Vulgaris, a fern. This plant-life then consumed the ruins left behind, covering everything in a thick layer.
If you want to visit, you can use the antique ramps built into the valley with an entrance via a trapdoor near the Stragazzi parking lot. The view from above, especially at Fuorimura Street, is also breathtaking and not to be missed. This truly is one of the most other-worldly, beautiful things you will ever see, so be sure to find time for it on your next visit to Sorrento, Campania.
When Tasso Square was built nearby in 1866, it isolated the area from the sea and there was a sharp rise in the humidity of the valley.
This made the area unbearable and led to the eventual abandonment of the valley and its mills. Furthermore, the milling of flour shifted to nearby pasta mills and the area of industry in valley became obsolete. The mills were closed and officially abandoned in the 1940s.
The humidity in the area also led to the creation of a new micro-climate which allowed for the growth of rich and spontaneous vegetation which is rather unheard of in the south of Italy. Among the plants that began to thrive is the rare, Phillitis Vulgaris, a fern. This plant-life then consumed the ruins left behind, covering everything in a thick layer.
If you want to visit, you can use the antique ramps built into the valley with an entrance via a trapdoor near the Stragazzi parking lot. The view from above, especially at Fuorimura Street, is also breathtaking and not to be missed. This truly is one of the most other-worldly, beautiful things you will ever see, so be sure to find time for it on your next visit to Sorrento, Campania.
Photo credits
picture 1: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0
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