This overgrown and abandoned ravine recounts a fascinating story of daily life in old Sorrento.
Deep Valley of the Mills (Il Vallone dei Mulini) is one of the most unusual and atmospheric sites in Sorrento. This narrow ravine cuts right through the centre of the city from the main square, Piazzo Tasso, to Marina Piccola. A typical feature of the coastline around this region, the valley was formed by the meeting of two water courses, the Casarlano-Cesarano and Saint Antonino.The valley takes its name from the old flour mill, the remains of which can still be seen at the bottom of the steep gorge. The mill building dates from the 9th century and was still in use over a thousand years later, grinding wheat and corn for the local bakeries on a daily basis. However, as the modern city took shape around it, supplies of fresh air straight from the sea were restricted. This led to increasing levels of humidity on the valley floor, making working conditions more and more difficult, and in the 19th century the mill was finally abandoned.Next to the grain mill was a sawmill, supplying wood to local furniture makers and craft workers, and further along the valley a public washhouse. Local women would gather here to do their family washing in the slow-running streams of fresh, cool water. The remains of the two mills and the washhouse can still be spotted at the bottom of the ravine, their ruined walls covered in the luxuriant ferns and creepers that thrive in this moist, humid environment.Access to the valley floor is now strongly discouraged, so the recommended way to see this slice of old Sorrento life is from street level. One of the best viewing positions is from Via Fuorimura, just a short stroll from Piazza Tasso. Mornings are the best time to get a clear view, before the sun starts to cast long shadows. Bring binoculars or a camera with a powerful zoom to get a close-up view of these fascinating old relics of a bygone age. At night the ruins are illuminated, casting an eerie glow over this historic site.
