Amalfi, the oldest of the Maritime Republics (with Venice, Pisa, Genoa) contends in Fabriano, in the province of Ancona, the primacy of paper mill production in Italy. Already in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the official documents found speak of paper, although it is not clear whether it is Italian or foreign production.

In any case, a real paper industry developed in Amalfi, which in the eighteenth century resulted in 11 paper mills. Most of these industries were in the Valle dei Mulini, a very beautiful but rather narrow valley. Over the years, the Amalfi paper mills struggled to keep pace with the development of modern industry. The inconstant water supply, in spring and summer was often scarce in other seasons, paper mills had to face the flood risk. There were no communication routes and the small paper mills could not buy modern equipment. All these reasons were the cause of the decay of the Amalfi industry and many paper mills had to close. But the coup de grace was given by the 1954 flood, which destroyed most of the factories. At the end of paper mills, there were only three left. It is obvious that in these circumstances Amalfi certainly could not become the capital of the paper industry, that role remained in Fabriano. But the skilled Neapolitan craftsmen specialized in the production of 'Bambagina', a very special type of paper, produced by hand according to ancient techniques. Nicola Milano, since the age of thirteen active in family industries, decided in 1969 to donate the latest buildings to the foundation 'Museum of Paper & rsquo;, a foundation that intends to preserve this piece of history for future generations.

In the Paper Museum, housed in one of the oldest paper mills in Amalfi, you will find a treasure trove of information, illustrated by many machines for the production of paper: traditional, restored and functioning machines that show you the entire papermaking process.