Crete Senesi

M06 - Antico Mulino della Commenda

ASCIANO

The Commenda Mill, formerly known as the "Mill of the Hospital of San Giovanni," consisted of two separate buildings, both still standing and leaning against the retaining wall of the millrace.

 

The existence of two distinct buildings suggests two distinct activities: the grinding of grain and the working of iron with water hammers. This latter activity is confirmed by a document from 1319, which refers to "Molendium ferri."

 

Other clues pointing to two distinct processes include the structure of the water channeling system and the considerable capacity of the millrace.

 

The name of the Mill traces its original ownership to the monks of the Convent of San Giovanni, a convent located where the Bar Hervè and the Church of San Bernardino now stand. There is also a document, dated around 1318, attesting to the co-ownership of the Mill by Antonio di Meo Tolomei. This confirms the recurring hypothesis of a close collaboration between the ruling families of the time and local ecclesiastical orders.

 

The name by which the Mill is known today dates back to the final evolution of the Johannine monastic order, which took the title of Knights of Malta. In this context, the Hospital of St. John also changed its name and perhaps its social function,

 

Read historical-documental references by A.R.C.A.

 

Click here to use the Navigator of the Mills, to know all the details.
 

The Commenda Mill, formerly known as the "Mill of the Hospital of San Giovanni," consisted of two separate buildings, both still standing and leaning against the retaining wall of the millrace.

 

The existence of two distinct buildings suggests two distinct activities: the grinding of grain and the working of iron with water hammers. This latter activity is confirmed by a document from 1319, which refers to "Molendium ferri."

 

Other clues pointing to two distinct processes include the structure of the water channeling system and the considerable capacity of the millrace.

 

The name of the Mill traces its original ownership to the monks of the Convent of San Giovanni, a convent located where the Bar Hervè and the Church of San Bernardino now stand. There is also a document, dated around 1318, attesting to the co-ownership of the Mill by Antonio di Meo Tolomei. This confirms the recurring hypothesis of a close collaboration between the ruling families of the time and local ecclesiastical orders.

 

The name by which the Mill is known today dates back to the final evolution of the Johannine monastic order, which took the title of Knights of Malta. In this context, the Hospital of St. John also changed its name and perhaps its social function,

 

Read historical-documental references by A.R.C.A.

 

Click here to use the Navigator of the Mills, to know all the details.