THE VALLEY OF THE MILLS

The southeast side of the valley of the mills surrounds the tufa stone block forming what is now the historic centre of Sorrento. The characteristic split in the rock, which cuts deeplyacross the tufa platform, was created by the biggest volcanic eruption to hit the Mediterranean, between 35,000 and 37,000 years ago. The limestone basin betweenPunta Scutolo and Capo di Sorrento became filled with debris. The water running through the valleys, obstructed by erupted material, opened up a new route towards the sea, progressively carving through the tufa stone cliff. The mouths of the valleys became the preferred sites for settlements. The prehistoric cave of the Conca (Nicollucci Grotto) on the rising slope of the valley of Marina Grande, and the Aeneolithic settlement of the Gaudo civilisation in Piano di Sorrento, are two valid examples. The valley of the mills is cut through by two streams: Casarlano Cesarano and Sant’Antonino. Their modest supply of water has produced very narrow gorges which widen only where two flows meet, creating a vast area at the foot of Villa “La Rupe.” The name Vallone dei Mulini comes from the flourmill which remained operational until the beginning of the last century. Next to it was a sawmill, which supplied cuts of any thickness to the Sorrento cabinetmakers. There was also a public washhousefor the local women. When the construction of Piazzo Tasso (starting in 1866) isolated the mill area was from the sea, the resulting increase in the level of damp made thearea impossible to live in, and so it was gradually abandoned. Today we can access what remains of the valley along the old ramps cut into the rock, enteringthrough a gulley near the Stragazzi car park and, wearing waders, stroll along the wild valley floor, looking at the ruins. If you want to save your energy, you can simply admire the valley from via Fuorimura, starting behind Piazza Tasso.