A Collection of Testimonies of Rural Life

Titled “Patregnani Old Mill – The Rooms of Oil, Wine, and Flour,” this collection is housed in a historic building: in the original rooms that served the local community for a very long time, acting as a hub for essential products such as flour, oil, and wine, objects and tools used in daily work are on display. On display for the public are the stone millstones of the oil mill, which was in operation until the 1990s, and the much older millstones of the grain mill.
The Patregnani and Sabbatini families, who inherited the complex, decided to preserve this piece of heritage that represents our historical roots. Officially opened to the public in May 2013, the collection is constantly being expanded, day by day, through the patient efforts of the owners.

The millstones, the oil mill and the cellar: what you can see

In the rooms of the collection you can admire the mill’s stone millstones, some dating back to the Middle Ages, which — powered by water diverted from the Cesano River — transformed agricultural produce into wheat, barley and corn flour. Also on display are the millstones of the oil mill, which remained in operation until the 1990s, together with the rooms where the olives were processed to obtain first cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. A further room illustrates the equipment used for processing grapes.

A museum that restores dignity to the farming world

At the heart of this project lies the wish to do justice to a farming society built on solidarity and cohesion, one that often grew up in the difficult context of sharecropping. But there is also the intention of giving younger generations the chance to connect with a world that is part of their roots too, through workshops for children and teenagers.

Around the mill: nature, trails and an open-air classroom

Once the visit is over, the spacious grounds invite you to linger a while longer. Numerous tree species have been planted in the green area, each identifiable by a label, and a bike-and-pedestrian loop leads down to the Cesano River for a walk or a bike ride. For those who prefer to stay put, the lawn offers a quiet place to rest surrounded by the countryside.