Ancient watermills in Central Sicily. Musealization hypothesis for the recovery and the conservation

Based on the accurate analysis of an area dotted by elements that have marked the history from the anthropogenic and natural point of views, this paper focuses on the recognition of the cultural value of the river landscape of Central Sicily, as a valuable testimony of local identity that needs to be protected and enhanced. Contrary to popular belief that associates inland Sicily with a land burned by the sun, in Piazza Armerina (Enna) the abundant presence of water is an exception that has marked the scenery. In this area, rivers and streams for some traits navigable in the classical era, allowed since the 14th century a significant production cycle mainly related to the wheat grinder. Architectural artefacts connected to this system, today disused and almost in ruins, if properly recovered, could accommodate essential polarities of a new cultural path of awareness. They can thus become precious instruments of active protection of the region that would develop as a museum of itself. Moving from the assumption that to safeguard, not only visual aspects of the landscape have to be considered but it is necessary to pay attention also to its historical evolution, the planning act has to boost the dialogue between the memory of the river - today profoundly altered - and the current perception. This paper, therefore, addresses the issues of conservative restoration, adaptive reuse and valorisation of a precious heritage. It aims to recognize and define the homogeneous features and characters resulting from the interrelations between nature and human history in the area of the high valley of the Gela river.