Mills and Crushers

Mulineddu o Mulino Puggioni, Paulilatino foto da PNRR Architettura Rurale - RAS

For centuries, hydraulic mills were the fundamental system for the milling of cereals in Sardinia. They sprang along waterways using artificial channels (gore) and transverse barriers (masses or forts) to divert and slow down flows. In Sardinia, horizontal wheel mills became widespread, better adapted to the terrain and with lower water flow requirements than Vitruvian vertical wheel mills.
Introduced around the 11th and 12th centuries by monks (original owners together with lay lordships), they passed into private management from the 19th century onwards. A significant example is in Samugheo, along the Rio Accoro, where they were used until about 1980.
Vittorio Angius, a collaborator of Abbot Casalis, toured Sardinia between 1832 and 1848 documenting uses, festivals, history and productive activities, with frequent references to hydraulic mills, mulching and milling activities (including the mention of the Riu de sos Molinos in Paulilatino).
The State Archives of Cagliari keeps records relating to concessions for the manufacture of hydraulic mills during the late-Spanish and Savoy periods (such as the concession to Francesco Antonio Serra in Samugheo on 29 April 1756).

Oil Sector: Oil production in Sardinia has deep historical roots, historically characterized by strong limitations but also by major agrarian innovation interventions in the nineteenth century, linked to the work of clergymen (such as Monsignor Navoni and Giovanni Bua) and entrepreneurs such as the engineer Léon Goüin.

Significant Examples of Territorial Interventions (PNRR Recovery Projects)

Mulino Andrieddu (Telti): Ancient Gallura mill dating back to the first half of the 19th century (19th century), inserted in a farm of about 22 hectares and enhanced through a complete architectural recovery.
Mulino Is Tirizzas (Samugheo): Example of rural archeology in central Sardinia. The interventions involved both the historic building and the entire hydraulic supply system with the crossbar on the Rio Accor.
Mulino Puggioni/“Mulineddu” (Paulilatino): Located along the Rio “Sa Buburica” (“Arriu de sos Mòllinos”), where 19 registered mills once stood. The proximity to the archaeological site of Santa Cristina enhances its tourist use within a path that combines nuragic beauty with ancient production workshops.
Baccu Tinghinu oil mill (Capoterra): Located within the historic complex of Villa Gouin (dating back to 1862 and linked to the opening of the San Leone mine). The mill houses historic olive pressing machines. The surrounding area is also home to two monumental trees of great landscape value: an Eucalyptus globulus (believed to be the oldest in Sardinia, planted for the birth of the engineer's first daughter) and a large Juniperus oxycedrus (red juniper).

Update

9/9/2026 - 11:09

Tag

architettura rurale PNRR

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