The event that leads to the discovery of wonderful examples of rural architecture that launch a journey back in time and the magic is back. On the occasion of European Mill Daysscheduled for May 18 and 19, in Emilia Romagna you will have the opportunity to visit some of the water mills the most beautiful of the area, many of which are still perfectly functional and magnificent after centuries. Here is a spring tour to discover the most beautiful ones.
The Lentino Mill, in Alta Val Tidone
The beautiful water mill in the medieval city dates from the period of Charlemagne Borgo Lentino, in the province of Piacenza. Amazingly, after so many centuries, it is still in shape and functional, and can be seen in action during guided tours and on special occasions. It will be the case on Sunday 19 May for the European Days of the Mills, when the Mulino Lentino will be full of stalls for tastings of cured meats and wines from the nearby vineyards, guided tours, a gastronomic market and an exhibition of ancient cereals. The settlement is located in the municipality of Nibbiano, 30 km from bobby in the green High valley of the Tidone, at the confluence of the Lentino stream with the Tidone stream. A few kilometers away, on the same Sunday, there is also a party in the alleys, courtyards and squares of the small medieval center of walkwith the demonstration “Borgu in Fiore”, with floral compositions, exhibition of themed stalls, shows and demonstrations for adults and children.
The Mill of Còrnola, between the mountains of Nivianu in Pavullu
The small village of Còrnola, a group of houses scattered on the mountain, houses a 15th century mill. To find this charming village, you have to pass Pavullu and climb for another 7 km in the mountains of Sassoguidano nature reserve, on the road to Nivianu, in the province of Modena. U mill of Cornola, with the large vertical iron wheel, represents a true jewel of Renaissance technology. The wheel was driven by the water of the river of Lerna, which was brought to the mill with a canal. In ancient times, the mills were the only “industrial” building and served the whole small community for grinding wheat, corn, barley and chestnuts. Today you can look at this jewel from the outside and, closing your eyes, imagine all the events it has gone through over the centuries. It is the third of seven mills from upstream to downstream: Model, Domenicu, Cornola, Mingat, Le Rocche, Nuuvu and Managlia.
The Mazzone Mill in Monghidoru
Sunday 19 May could be the perfect opportunity to discover the 18th century as well Mazzone Mill a Monaco, on the hills of Bologna, which will be put into action with the grinding of wheat. After the guided tour, the evening continues with live music and aperitifs. The mill, still in perfect operation, is located in a splendid natural setting, in the hamlet of Piamaggio, a stage of the The journey “Mater Dei”. for the Sanctuary of Pompeii. Due to the complexity of the building, the variety of millstones housed, the geographical position and the fact that it is still in operation today, it can be considered the most interesting of Monghidoro. The Mazzone Mill is part of a complex, overlooking a canal, consisting of a period house, four rooms that accommodate as many millstones, the old barn and stables, today transformed into accommodation for passing tourists.
The “Mulino Eredi Guccini” reopened in Silla in 1569
In 1569, what is now known as “Heirs of Sergio Guccini Mill” was the first nucleus built in Silla, a country of Gaggio Montanoon theBolognese Apennines. We are in a fantastic corner of nature, between woods, streams and pure air. In this mountain area, in the last century the different branches of the Guccini family owned the various mills“Upper Rhine Valley.”, and also that of Pavana, in Tuscany. The business was successfully started by Francesco Guccini, born in 1855, grandfather of the current owners of the Silla mill and distant relative of the famous singer-songwriter. The works are still in progress, but on Saturday and Sunday 18 and 19 May you will have the opportunity to take free guided tours to discover this authentic jewel, among the most fascinating in Emilia-Romagna.
Moulin Scodellino in Castel Bolognese
Even the Bowl Mill joined to the European Days of the Mills, with guided tours and unmissable demonstrations, on the third weekend of May. The construction date of this important building dates back to the 14th century and it has long been under the protection of the Ministry of Architectural and Environmental Heritage, Superintendence of Ravenna. Each year, this imposing red brick hydraulic building attracts thousands of visitors to the quiet countryside of Bolognese Castlein the country Casalecchioat the gates of capital of Emilia. In addition, it is one of the rare public mills in Emilia-Romagna. The grinding consists of two stone mills, one fixed and one rotary, moved by the water of the canal. Its curious name is probably due to “bowl”, tool used by the mill for milling. Another unmissable place that takes you back centuries.
The mill of Mengozzi in Premilcuore
Surrounded by greenery, between woods and firs, is the mill of Mengozzi a Small rivera very small fraction of Heartbreakin the province of Forlì-Cesena. The landscape that surrounds it is truly a postcard, between the peaks, forests and streams of the National Park of the Casentine Forests, and time seems to have stopped there. The mill dates back to 1500 and is still in great shape and can be visited, by appointment.
The Mengozzi is not the classic mill with an external paddle, but works with a wooden turbine that moves thanks to the water, taken by the flow, and that enters at high speed through a wooden and steel guillotine. Abandoned in 1963 after centuries of activity, it was patiently restored by the owners, the Mengozzi brothers, who repaired and rebuilt all the structures. Thus, since 1993, after years of silence, the mill has returned to function in all its parts. It has always been renowned for grinding of chestnuts and for the fineness of the flour that is still used today to make castagnaccio, a tasty dessert of the Tuscan-Romagna tradition, or chestnut tagliatelle.
Museum of the Sapignoli Mill in Poggio Torriana
Even on the hills of Rimini there is an old mill that still works. U Mill Museum in Sapignoli a I put Torrianaa short walk from the famous Montebello Castle, in the hinterland of Rimini, welcomes visitors in the main hall of the building, where the large millstones move slowly and transform the grains of wheat into flour under the eyes of the public, who will also have the opportunities to discover images and memories. of the old mill. In the restored rooms of the mill, the museum talks about the work and the ingenuity of the art of the mill and the mill system of the mill. Valmarecchia. On the main floor of the building, where the apartment of the miller’s family was, today is the Pio Campidelli Municipal Library with its book and multimedia heritage of more than eleven thousand units, including interesting specialized publications on the mills and the history of the mill. area