In the municipality of Santa Margherita Staffora, just above the hamlet of Casanova Staffora, is the only mill still in operation in the territory of the Oltrepò pavese mountain community. Some documents attest it as early as 1275, property of the Malaspina family. It takes its name from the owner, Pellegro Natuzzi, who restored it in the 19th century.
The Mill, a place of waiting and sharing
The farmers arrived at Mulino Pellegro laden with harvest, their wagons overflowing with golden wheat and rye. Patiently, an orderly queue formed, waiting for the long-awaited moment: the milling. The mill was the beating heart of the community, a place where grain was transformed into flour, the essential ingredient for daily bread.
There were no reservations at the mill. It was a matter of order of arrival: whoever showed up first with his load of crops had priority for service.
This meant that farmers often had to wake up at dawn and undertake a journey with their wagons to secure a place in the queue.
During the harvesting season, activity at the mill intensified and it was not uncommon to have to work even at night in order to meet all the demands.
Waiting at the mill thus became a time for sharing and socialising. Farmers exchanged stories and experiences, discussed. In those moments of waiting one could also witness the conclusion of real deals. Animals were bought and sold, land exchanged and work tools found new owners.
The renovation phase
The mill has played a fundamental role in the history and economy of the area, thanks to its rich waterways. In order to enhance this precious heritage Mulino Pellegro has been restored and transformed into an "educational museum with an integral flour production process". A tribute to the past and the work of the millers, it offers a window on the agricultural and handicraft traditions that characterise the Oltrepò. This is an opportunity for schoolchildren to rediscover an ancient craft and one of the typical architectural elements of the Oltrepò area. In this way, the new generations are introduced to the process of flour production, following all the stages from the grinding of the grain to the final product.
The Red Mill Wheel
In the original construction of the mill, the wheel was made of wood, a natural material that blended in perfectly with its surroundings and the craft traditions of the time.
However, during the renovation of the Pellegro Mill, the decision was made to replace the old wooden wheel with a new one made of iron. This choice brought a modern touch to the building, giving the wheel a vibrant shade of red that stands out against the historic architecture of the mill. To ensure the constant flow of water to the mill wheel, a conveyor system was created that still fulfils its function today.
The water, coming from a watercourse upstream of the mill, is channelled through an irrigation ditch, a 70 cm wide and 70 cm deep ditch, into which wooden grooves were inserted to control and divert the flow of water according to the mill's needs.
