9 Watermills to Visit in the Veneto Region

When you think of Veneto, Italy, you might initially picture popular cities like Venice, Verona, and Padova. While they’re definitely worth a visit, there’s something special in the region’s countryside that you should also consider seeing: the watermills.

Visiting these mills is a great and fun way to learn about the region’s history and at the same time, enjoy the lovely nature of the area.

Groups like the Italian Association of Friends of Historic Mills work to keep these places alive, making sure their history is remembered.

That being said, here are 9 watermills to visit in the Veneto region.

1. Croda Mill (Refrontolo)

If you’re looking for a unique spot to explore in Veneto, check out Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo! It’s a historic water mill that dates back to the 16th century and is built right into the rocky face of the Croda mountain.

After being closed for years, it’s now a working museum where you can see how cornmeal is ground using traditional methods. It’s a great place to learn about the local history and enjoy some beautiful nature while you’re at it.

Location: Via Molinetto, 40, 31020 Refrontolo TV, Italy

2. Tessari Mill (Pederiva di Grancona)

Tucked away in the lovely Val Liona of the Berici Mountains, you’ll find the Tessari Mill at Pederiva di Grancona. This water mill has been around since the early 1400s and is one of the last functioning mills in the area.

Unlike a regular museum, Tessari Mill is still active, and it produces a small amount of delicious flour each day.

What makes this place special is the vibe you get when you’re there. The sounds of water flowing, the grinding of the millstones, and the gentle creaks of the machinery create a cosy atmosphere that feels so authentic.

Inside, you can check out the old wooden millstones used for grinding wheat and corn. To see the mill in action, just book a tour through the Pro Loco Val Liona.

Location: Pederiva di Grancona, within the Val Liona in the Berici Mountains, near the town of Vicenza, Italy.

3. Mossano Valley

Mossano Valley is a lovely place to visit in the Berici Hills. It’s perfect for a weekend trip where you can enjoy fresh air and nature along with your family, friends, or even your dog.  

The valley has some lovely houses, old villas, and long rows of vineyards that make it feel straight out of a fairytale. You can take a nice walk starting from the town church, then follow the path that leads you through the valley of the mills to witness the well-kept medieval mills.

It’s a place worth exploring!

Location: Berici Hills, near the town of Mossano in the Vicenza province of Italy.

4. Mulino Guglielmini

Olio Guglielmi has been making high-quality extra virgin olive oil since 1954. The history of the Guglielmi family, rooted in Apulia’s oil culture, began when Saverio Guglielmi built the first mill after World War II.

Today, they continue to honour that legacy while embracing new technology to improve their production.

With 160 hectares of olive groves, they ensure each olive is carefully harvested and milled.

The new olive mill has modern production lines that help it create a variety of extra virgin olive oils. With their passion for quality and tradition, Olio Guglielmi brings the best of Apulia’s olive oil to everyone’s kitchen!

Location: Via Guglielmini, 21, 36065 Mussolente VI, Italy

5. Serra Mill (Cavaso del Tomba)

Serra Mill is located in Cavaso del Tomba, right at the foot of Mount Grappa. This old mill has been part of the area’s story since it was in operation until the late 1970s.

It used to have three different wheels: a big wooden one for the blacksmith’s hammer, a lighter iron wheel for grinding, and a small concrete wheel for another hammer.

Even though it’s not running anymore, it still shows off the hard work and skills of the people who used to work here. But also, visiting Serra Mill gives you a chance to enjoy the view around Cavaso del Tomba.

Location: Cavaso del Tomba, within the Cavasia Valley at the foothills of Mount Grappa, in the Vicenza province of Italy.

6. Pagnano d’Asolo, the Hammer Mill

In the town of Pagnano d’Asolo, you’ll find the Hammer Mill, a piece of history that dates back to the 1400s. This old mill is a great example of rural architecture and was used for metalworking until the early 1970s.

The two wooden paddle wheels still stand, beautifully integrated into the building, and show a design inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. The mill used water from the nearby Muson stream, which powered various activities like milling and fulling.

Now owned by the municipality, the Hammer Mill has been restored and will soon become a school-workshop-museum. It’ll be a space for courses, conferences, and exhibitions about working with wrought iron.

Location: Treviso province of Italy, near the town of Asolo, in the Prealps region.

7. Portogruaro Mills Museum

Portogruaro is a lovely town that many tourists don’t know about, but it’s definitely worth a visit! And if you decide to go there, one of the spots you should check out is Mills of St. Andrew, which has been around since the 12th century.

The Mills of Sant’Andrea in Portogruaro sit along the Lemene River. They were once busy places where grain was ground, and they played an important role in the local economy.

Today, you can see the remnants of this historic site and imagine how life was for the people who worked here.

Visiting the mills is a great way to learn about the town’s past. The area around the mills is also lovely for a stroll, and you’ll have beautiful views of the river and the buildings nearby.

Location: Portogruaro, along the Lemene River in the Veneto region of Italy.

8. Cervara Mill Nature Reserve

The Cervara Oasis is a beautiful nature reserve located in Santa Cristina, in the Treviso province. Open from March to late November, this 25-hectare oasis is a great place to explore the local flora and fauna.

To enter, visitors pass through the Cervara Mill, which dates back to the Middle Ages and is still functioning today.

The oasis is situated between the Sile River and the Piovega Canal. You’ll find springs, known as “fontanassi,” which feed the Sile River, and you might spot owls, storks, and other wildlife during your visit.

Location: Santa Cristina, within the Treviso province of Italy. It lies between the Sile River and the Piovega Canal.

9. Valley of the Mills Sorrento

The Valle dei Mulini, or Valley of the Mills is another beautiful spot, located in Sorrento. This valley is home to the ruins of old flour mills that date back to the 13th century.

They used to thrive thanks to the stream running through the area, but now they’re mostly covered in greenery, making it a pretty sight to see.

You can catch some great views of the mills from Viale Enrico Caruso, and also snap some photos on your way there!

Location: Sorrento, along the Lemene River, in the Campania region of Italy.

All in All

The water mills of Veneto speak a lot about the region’s past and the hard work of those who came before us. They remind us of a time when communities relied on these structures for their daily needs.

That being said, if you find this activity interesting, I highly suggest considering it next time you’re in Italy!