Power-packed mill: Barbegal Roman Mill

Power-packed mill: Barbegal Roman Mill

An ancient watermill complex in France once powered by no less than 16 water wheels, milling possibly up to 40,000 tonnes of flour per day.

North-east of Arles in Southern France lies the Barbegal Roman Mill complex, a marvel of ancient engineering and mechanical power. It was once a powerful watermill complex, consisting of 16 water wheels arranged in two parallel sets, making it the largest such complex ever discovered. These massive wheels were designed to harness the power of water, converting it into mechanical power that could grind grains and mill flour. The mill complex was situated near an aqueduct, which provided the necessary water to operate the mills. Not only did these aqueducts serve the mills, but they also supplied water to the town of Arles. Visitors to the site can still see the vestiges of the ancient aqueduct and mills, offering a glimpse into the past. The Barbegal Roman Mill complex is a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Romans and their ability to create monumental feats of engineering.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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