Antica segheria veneziana Taialacqua
The ancient sawmill was constructed as a cooperative business in the 16th century
The ancient sawmill Taialacqua was built in the 16th century as a cooperative business by the inhabitants of the town, encouraged by the town parish priest don Taialacqua, with the objective to improve the economic conditions of the local population. At a later time, other sawmills were built along the Molini River, which have now disappeared, and for this reason the entire valley preserves the name Val delle Seghe (Valley of Saws). The sawmill was, and still is, run on water.
The water moves a pallet with a built-in spindle connected to a junction rod that transforms the rotational movement into the vertical movement of the blades which cut the trunks. The output consisted in 6 to 10 mm thick boards called "molvene", then sold in the Riva del Garda area. Outside the sawmill a visitors' centre has been set up offering detailed information about the sawmill operation and the timber production activity in Trentino.
