Utilizzo dell’energia dell’acqua: i mulini ad acqua di Tramutola (Regione Basilicata)

In the human history, the water exploitation, as a driving force in order to activate the millstones, represented an important technological innovation. This paper aims to relate the particularly hydrogeological context of the Tramutola area (Potenza) with the constructive and historical information of the old watermills still located in this zone. As in many areas of Italy, the Benedictine monks had a considerable importance because they were the first to use machinery moved by the water energy. The presence of different establishments, used for milling of the cereals, determined a significant advancement of social and economic conditions in the Tramutola territory. The historical data have documented the presence of at least five mills that used as energy source the running water of the Rio Cavolo and some of its springs. Of these, only three buildings are still present: the Mulino Capo d’acqua, located in the urban area, the Mulino San Carlo, present in San Carlo quarter and, finally, the Mulino Caolo, located on the homonymous stream. The reconstruction of the respective devices allowed to be referred the first two to as "molini a ritrecine" mechanisms, constituted by a horizontal wheel, connected to a shaft that permitted the rotation of the movable grinding. A very important aspect is the integrated and sustainable use of the water resources in Tramutola area. In fact, the water was used for domestic purposes before it could drive the millstones, after going through the mill, it was used to agricultural fields irrigation.