Valle Dei Mulini, Italy: Off The Beaten Path
Hidden deep in the crevice of a cliff range in Italy, the Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills) sits in beautiful ruins. A haunting oasis secluded from the rest of the world, the abandoned buildings are covered in vibrant moss and vines, beckoning to be remembered.
The gaping crack in the rock (created by the Campri Flegrei eruption 35,000 years ago) was the perfect place for the Sorrentine people to build a mill, as they took advantage of the river at the bottom of the valley. In the 13th century, stone flour mills were successfully established to grind grain, then later a sawmill for the cabinet-makers, and a wash-house for women to do laundry.
The mills were the beginning of a flourishing industrial village, though their existence wouldn’t last long. At the end of the 19th century, flour milling was mostly moved to the nearby pasta mills, putting an end to the industry in the Valle dei Mulini. With villagers moving out to find work, the crevice town became obsolete by 1940.
Since the abandonment, aggressive vegetation has slowly taken to the crumbling buildings, creating a mystical and eerie atmosphere. The city of Sorrento has voted to restore the mills, making it temporarily inaccessible to hike down into the canyon. The village can be viewed from the above Viale Enrico Caruso.
Featured image: © Ksenia Samorukova | Dreamstime