The old mills

In medieval times, some 12 mills enveloped the town of Asciano, forming part of a complex engineering system.

The countryside around the village, fertile and bountiful, was ideal for the cultivation of wheat, which grew luxuriantly thanks to the care and industriousness of local farmers. But it was not only the land that made Asciano a place of prosperity; its 12 mills, arranged like an embrace around the town, played a crucial role in the transformation of wheat into flour.

From ancient documents emerges the vivid image of Asciano's millers, tireless in their work. After grinding the grain, they would take the flour to the market that animated Piazza del Grano, then known as Piazza di Mercatale, the beating heart of local commerce, renowned far beyond Asciano's borders.

From the panoramic terrace one can admire the Mulino dei Preti, one of the oldest and most fascinating mills, flanked by the striking waterfall known as “della Lama.” This mill, first mentioned in a papal bull of Alexander III in 1178, still retains some original parts, such as the “jailhouse” with its wooden blades.

Asciano's mills formed an ingenious and well-organized complex that harnessed the energy of water to carry out certain processes, primarily the grinding of grain, and, in medieval times, metalworking as well.

As you walk along the paths that run alongside the waterways, you can still make out the remains of the gore and weirs, which were expertly constructed to regulate the flow of water and ensure constant and precise operation of the structures.