An itinerary through history, nature and traditions

The Val Tidone Mill Road is one of the most evocative itineraries in the province of Piacenza, a route that intertwines history, breathtaking landscapes and the roots of local traditions. Once upon a time, along the course of the stream that crosses the valley, there were numerous mills, powered by the force of the water that moved their heavy stone millstones. Many of these mills date back to the 15th century, but some, even older, were fundamental to life in the valley. Some of these ancient factories have come down to us, expertly restored and guarded. They keep their original features intact, telling stories of work, sacrifice and growth. Among the most representative is the Borgo del Lentino Mill, transformed in 2008 into the Museum of Miller Civilization.

The La Strada dei Mulini Association has been committed for years to the organization of events, conferences, exhibitions and guided tours, with the aim of raising public awareness, protecting and, where possible, recovering the historical heritage linked to these fascinating buildings. Among the most significant initiatives stands out the adhesion to the European Days of Historic Mills, held every year in May, and the celebration of St. Catherine of Alexandria, patron saint of millers, with the Millers’ Festival in November. The latter, now in its fifteenth year, represents a moment of great emotion: during the event a significant recognition is awarded to a historic family of millers who have dedicated their lives to milling and flour.

Located in a charming medieval village, with stone buildings leaning against each other, the Lentino Mill is a perfect example of a “curtense” center, introduced by the Franks in Carolingian times. Its structures take you back in time to the sixth century, offering visitors not only the discovery of an ancient water mill, but also an immersion in the thousand-year history of Val Tidone. Inside the mill (which can be visited by reservation) there are still perfectly functioning milling equipment, flanked by numerous objects related to the miller’s civilization and historical documents on the art of milling. The recent discovery of an ancient mill in Retrecine, perhaps from Roman times, and of a seventeenth-century wool crowd further testifies to the historical importance of the mill and its territory.

A journey through culture and enchanting landscapes

The historical, cultural and naturalistic path of “La Strada dei Mulini”, today an integral part of the “Sentiero del Tidone”, is easily accessible from the former SS 412 of Val Tidone (Milan-Passo Penice). Along the way, you will encounter picturesque landscapes and historic villages, such as Borgonovo Val Tidone, with its medieval fortress, and Castelnovo Val Tidone, with the majestic castle that dominates the ridge. Continuing on, you arrive at Corano, a village characterized by ancient rural residences and a castle full of charm. Going down towards the valley, you will come across the first surviving mills: the Vaie Mill, the Pittadino Mill and the Santa Margherita Mill. Going up in the direction of Monte Penice, there are the Spada Mill, the Red Mill and the Buccellari Mill, in the locality of Strà.

Continuing along the former SS 412 towards Monte Penice, you arrive at the locality “Mulino della Noce del Gallo”, from which the real hiking route of “La Strada dei Mulini” begins, dominated from above by the imposing fortress of Rocca d’Olgisio. This crosses the municipality of Alta Val Tidone, offering stages full of charm: the mills of Ferro, Rizzo, Ceppetto, Gobbo and Lentino follow one another on an exciting journey through history. A variant towards Pecorara leads to the Reguzzi and Tombino mills. The itinerary culminates in the upper valley, in the village of Caminata, where the Molinino and the Molato dam are located, on the border with Lombardy.

An invitation to slow down and discover

The Val Tidone Mill Road is more than just a path: it is a journey that invites you to slow down, to admire the beauty of timeless landscapes and to be inspired by the traces of the past. This route, which still retains its appeal from a landscape/trail point of view, is an invitation to discover a territory that still has a lot to tell, through its mills, its villages and its traditions.

For more information:

IAT-R Piacenza
Telephone 0523/492001
iat@comune.piacenza.it
www.visitpiacenza.it