The rich watercourses that nourished the Staffora valley contributed to the settlement of many mills that today constitute a fascinating historical and cultural heritage of the area. Many date back centuries, representing an important heritage of the area, a historical memory of an economy that has been lost today but played a fundamental role in the development of the valley.
History
During past centuries, water mills were essential to the local community: their motive power was used for the production of flour, but also for sawing wood. Each mill had its own history and its own characteristics. Some were smaller and operated by individual families, while others were larger and more complex, serving the entire community. With the advent of electricity and industrial machines during the 19th and 20th centuries, the importance of watermills gradually declined. Today they are a symbol of sustainability and are becoming tourist attractions.
What remains
Many of the old mills in the Staffora Valley have been abandoned and converted to other uses, some have been restored and others will be restored in the future to become historical testimonies of the area's traditions.
From mill to mill
If you are fascinated by the undeniable charm of the mills, you only have to follow a route through the valley: an opportunity to admire human ingenuity and, at the same time, to walk among splendid landscapes. Aware that some are still
are in good condition, some even working, others are a little dilapidated, but not without charm.
Brallo di Pregola
There are two mills worth mentioning in Brallo di Pregola. The first, Prenzone Mill, is located in Colleri, where, not surprisingly, the 'miller's path' starts. Surrounded by greenery, you can still admire the large wheel and the remains of a millstone. In the locality of Ponti, on the other hand, where the 'Museum of Memories' is located, there is an early 20th century mill, still in good working order.
Cecima
Cecima can boast one of the oldest mills in the Staffora Valley, still in working order. It is located near the Staffora stream and is privately owned. The mill was already mentioned in 1295 when the Bishop of Pavia, Guido di Langosco, Count of Cecima at the time, gave orders for the structure to be built.
Menconico
Along the Aronchio stream, in Menconico, is the Spalla Mill, which has still maintained its original appearance. On the ground floor, in addition to the mill, there is a cellar with a 'barrel' structure, also partly used as a pigsty. An internal and an external staircase lead to the first floor where the kitchen is located, upstairs there are two bedrooms and the attic where flour, fruit, cheese and salami were stored. It will become a museum.
Santa Margherita Staffora
Mulino Pellegro is somewhat of a symbol of Santa Margherita StafforaIt dates back to the 19th century and is still in perfect working order. The mill wheel, originally made of wood, was replaced by a bright red iron one after renovation in the 1930s. In the hamlet of Fego there is the Cognassi mill: an exposed stone structure with a farmhouse and stable. Its characteristic feature is the wheel, still visible today, very narrow but almost ten metres high.
Zavattarello
In Zavattarelloin the hamlet of Le Moline, you can still see the old Scolopi convent with its mill and church.
