Historical Watermills. Architectural, Mechanical and Hydraulic Heritage

Historic watermills are studied as a complex heritage given by the synergy of buildings, hydraulic works and mechanical elements. They are the result of processes of modification and stratification that have occurred over the centuries, interrelated to landscape and human history. In particular, the paper focuses on historic watermills in the territory of Teramo (Italy), aiming to understand the history, culture, economy, and technological evolution of the territory. Moreover although these mills are local phenomena, the solutions—in particular, those derived through an accurate, wise and pragmatic use of natural resources—can reveal traditional practices no longer known, recurrent in similar environmental contexts, that can explain common solutions of wider historical and territorial diffusion.