Canale dei Molini in Mordano

The Canale dei Molini (Canal of the Mills) flows from the hamlet of Codrignano and passes through Imola and Mordano before joining the River Reno in the province of Ravenna. Running from south to north, it is the oldest existing public work in the Imola area and stretches a good 42 km.

Built to carry water and renew lands that had been devastated by long wars, it was designed by the Benedictine monks of Santa Maria in Regola di Imola, who also successfully restored many of the preceding Roman works. From around the 12th century onwards, numerous waterwheels were installed along the canal, aiding the development of agriculture through better irrigation but also, over time, benefitting crafts such as milling, hemp processing and clothes washing.

The Canale dei Molini also carried away waste waters from tanneries, dyeing works and slaughterhouses. Moreover, it was a waterway along which goods were transported on small boats.