A deep Italian crevasse filled with abandoned buildings offers visitors a glimpse of a world untouched by human presence.
The “Valle dei Mulini,” or “Valley of Mills,” is a picturesque collection of modern ruins nestled at the base of a deep Italian crevasse. This ravine, formed during a massive eruption that devastated the Mediterranean region 35,000 years ago, cradles the remnants of ancient buildings.
Dating back to the 13th century, the flour mills, constructed from stone, harnessed the continuous flow of water at the valley’s bottom. These mills played a crucial role in grinding various types of wheat for the Sorrentine people in the surrounding area. As the flour mills thrived, additional early industrial establishments emerged, capitalizing on the abundant water supply. A sawmill produced the chaff utilized by local cabinet-makers, and a wash-house served women for personal hygiene and laundering.
With the shift of flour milling to nearby pasta mills, the sunken industrial area became obsolete, leading to the closure and abandonment of the buildings in the 1940s. Since their closure, the brick structures have gradually succumbed to the relentless growth of greenery thriving in the humid crevasse. The enchanting buildings hidden in the Valley of the Mills now resemble a glimpse of what the world might look like in the absence of human presence.
As of November 2019, the city has decided to embark on the restoration of the Mills, a project that is currently underway, preserving this unique historical site.
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