The Valley of the Mills of Gragnano is a historic and evocative place located in the Campania region, in southern Italy. It is known for its long tradition in pasta production, thanks to the presence of numerous water mills that were used to grind wheat and produce the flour necessary for pasta.
The history of the Valle dei Mulini dates back several centuries, when the area was a vital center for pasta production. The presence of waterways coming from the surrounding mountains made the valley an ideal place for the construction of water mills. These mills were powered by the power of water and were used to grind grain and produce flour, which was then used to make pasta, one of the main foods of the Mediterranean diet.
The water mills of the Valle dei Mulini used a traditional technique to grind grain. The water was conveyed along specially built canals and sent down through water wheels, which transmitted the energy necessary to move the millstones and grind the grain. This process required constant maintenance and careful supervision by the muleteers.
Over time, with the advent of modern technology and the industrialization of pasta production, many of the traditional mills of the Valle dei Mulini have lost their economic importance. The industrial production of pasta has made the activity of water mills less profitable and many of them have been abandoned or converted for other uses.
This decline represented a significant loss for the tradition and culture of the Valle dei Mulini. However, in recent years, there has been renewed interest in the recovery and preservation of these ancient mills, not only as historical evidence, but also as a tourist and cultural resource for the region.
Today, the Valley of the Mills of Gragnano represents a precious testimony of the pasta making tradition of Campania and continues to attract visitors and scholars interested in the history and culture of pasta production in Italy.