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On the Mills route tells you about a place where a group of houses form a village in the municipality of Pescaglia thus reaching the Meniconi Mill
It is an acient water mill located in the Garfagnana region in Tuscany more precisely in the municipality of Pieve Fosciana
It represents an example of rural architecture found in the mountainous areas of Garfagnana, an area very dedicated to agriculture and suggestive landscapes.
History
The Mill was part of a Rustic Villa and belonges to the Palazzaccio an immense 16th century Villa on the Introini estate old property of the Orsetti Counts.
Today the Villa has been transformed into a residence while the Mill has remained unchanged over time
it carried out its milling activity until 1980’sbute dates back to the 17th century
It was built using hydraulic power of the waterways in the area turning the millstones the cereals into flour
The structure is typical rustic of Garfagnana with stone walls and a gable roof and is fed by the waters of the Sillico stream a tributary of the Serchio river
Today the Mill
Today the Mill is still functioning thanks also recovery interventions the mill is open to the public for visits and llows you to discover the traditional techinques used in the production of flour and to get to know the history of the families who ran it up close
Location
The Mill is a place of intgerest but the surrounding area is also known for its natural beauty and the site is often visited by hiking tourists in search of the nature and hisotry of these places
Garfagnana is known for being visited and also is famous for the Garfagnana Lighthouse a typical prduct which is often ground in mills such as the one in Meniconi
On the Mills Route isn therefore not only a place of historical interest but also a strting point for exploring a rural culture that has profoundly influenced the development of the region
Cultural Importance
On the Mills Route honors the Meniconi Mills by giving it cultural importance and making it a symbol of the profound bond between the local community and its territory.
In an era in which tecnology and globalization have transformed the agricultural economy these places represent a window into the past a simple life and everything linked to the cycles of the earth
Water Mills in Garfagnana
The presence of many ills in teh Garfagnana area represent an important testimony to the ancient agricultural economy of the region which today altough disused have been restored and can be visited
Some examples are :
Cascio Mill Verrucole Mill Piezza Mill Sillico Mill San Pellegrino in Alpe Mill