Gray walls of old buildings. Hardy plants that have taken refuge between the stone slabs. A windmill wheel overgrown with moss… and many more details that remind us that there were once people here. Probably, all buildings abandoned by people look like this – decrepit, forgotten, falling apart, but not this place. The Valley of the Mills is the ruins of a large medieval city, which are located right in the center of the city, or to be more precise, below it, at the bottom of the gorge that divides the beautiful city of Sorrento into two parts.
In one of the most famous cities in Italy – Sorrento, there is an unusual attraction, for the sake of just looking at which, tourists from all over the world come. Russian people know Sorrento not only because of the famous song, but also because it is one of the oldest cities in Italy. Here is the beautiful Basilica of San Antonio, as well as numerous cathedrals and many other attractions. However, there is a place here that attracts architects, lovers of mysticism, historians and just tourists. This is the Valley of the Mills.
Antiquity in the city center
The most famous landmark of Sorrento for its antiquity is located… under the main square of the lively city. Walking along Piazza Tasso, any tourist will come to a place that can enchant anyone with its atmosphere. This is Valle dei Mulini or “Valley of the Mills”.
Just imagine: a modern Italian city bathed in the rays of the sun, a vibrant life that boils around. And suddenly, in the very center of the square, behind a small fence, an entrance to another world opens in front of you. It is there, under the feet of the new city, like a prisoner, surrounded by the gray walls of the gorge, that the old mill stands. Its walls have already collapsed from the passage of time, and creeping plants protrude through the remains of window openings in search of light. Even on the hottest day, looking down on this 100-meter gap in which the old building is located, you will feel a chill, as if you are not standing on the main square of the city, but descending into the dampness and coolness of an abandoned mill.
History of occurrence
Today it is difficult to imagine, but earlier the dilapidated remains of buildings were the very engines thanks to which the city developed in the VIII-XIX centuries. Flour and corn were processed here. There was even a huge sawmill, the timber from which was distributed to artisans of all nearby settlements. The functioning of such violent activity was helped by nature: mountain streams filled the valley with water in spring, and life here was in full swing.
Already later, when the construction of the city was carried out on the territory of Sorrento, the gorge, in which the remains of the old city were located, practically turned into a swamp. I must say that the gorges for this area are common. All due to the fact that Sorrento is located on the shores of the peninsula, the rocky shores of which are composed of volcanic peat. In total, there are five valleys on the peninsula, one of which is the Valley of Mills. In the Middle Ages, this feature of the natural landscape allowed noble people to create the boundaries of their possessions. Today, few signs of its former glory can be seen only in the Valley of the Mills.
Why such a name
The valley bears its name, thanks to a large mill, which has retained most of its appearance. This building, with many windows gaping with its emptiness, with overgrown stairs, looks more like a medieval castle than a technical building.
Its appearance fascinates both casual tourists who, not knowing about its existence, walked along the crowded sidewalk, and those who specially came to look at this historical building. Here you can always see a large number of people who, overcoming their fear of heights, look into the impenetrable darkness of an abandoned mill, as if hoping that right now it will come to life under their gaze.
Interesting Facts
Previously, the Valley of Mills had access to the sea. Thus, its inhabitants were surrounded on all sides by water: streams sparkling in the sun, the azure blue of the sea. On the site of the main square of the city (Piazza Tasso) there was a very narrow bridge, through which it was possible to pass from one side of the gorge to the other. Many years later, during the construction of a new city, the bridge was demolished, it is in its place that Tasso Square is now located, and part of the gorge was covered up, forever fencing it off from the sea.
Today there is no way to go down to the Valley of Mills. The thing is that the city authorities took under their protection abandoned buildings as significant historical sites. That is why you can admire the mysterious landscape only from a height of a hundred meters, but there is an opportunity to go down the square and go down one of the streets to the sea.
The Valley of the Mills is not in vain one of the favorite attractions of all fans of mysticism. As mentioned earlier, the building has long been abandoned. For many years now, the foundation of the building has not felt the tread of a person. Nevertheless, there are many rumors and tales among the locals that the mill has its own inhabitants, only from another, other world. More than once, the inhabitants of the nearest houses heard voices and laughter coming from the gorge where the ruins of the old city are located.
There were cases when passers-by saw a strange light from the windows of the mill late at night. Local rescue teams have already received many calls asking them to check the building for the presence of people. Rescuers flew in helicopters and descended the stairs to the abandoned building, but absolutely no trace of a person was found.
We also recommend that you study information about a no less interesting place: Furore – a non-existent village.
All tourists are offered to visit the Valley of Mills in the evening and even at night. It is then that the backlighting lights are lit, which skillfully emphasize the special atmosphere of the mystery of the old building.
Italians believe that it is necessary to remember their history. It is thanks to this that tourists from all over the world have the opportunity to observe how in one city the brilliance of the present can be combined with the harsh strength of the past. The Valley of the Mills hypnotizes and amazes every person who is ready to look deep into the centuries.