Monterone was one of the closest to the mulino, and was collection of steeply stacked, stone buildings and streets (more like wide alleys) clustered within large stone walls encircling the top of a hill. It dates from the 1300s and is still lived in.
One of the things I always found surprising about the building methods of this time period is that *everything* is bricked or stoned over. There is no 'green' or earth showing anywhere. With the exception of a few potted geraniums.
Also, these connective walkways? bridges? what would you call these? seem to be a popular feature in these old, narrow-streeted places. Hugely atmospheric - but I'd be a bit leary actually utilizing one that looks this old, I believe.
You can see how steeply narrow the streets are here - straddling either side of the wedge-shaped building and angling uncomfortably up or down... Although this is officially a village and these are 'public' streets, they are all so close together that it felt more like trespassing in people's front or back yards...
I was always amused by the jarring juxtaposition of modern-day life and technology imposing itself on these very old locations...
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