Description
A four-millstone present in Fabbriche di Vallico, it is located on the road leading under Mount Matanna.
It was built in 1721 and has recently been renovated respecting the original structural and mechanical features.
The Mill is propelled solely by the force of the waters and grinds mostly chestnuts, operating in the winter months with a full productivity of about three quintals of flour per day.
Of the four millstones, one is exclusively used to grind organic chestnuts in the PDO area.The chestnuts must be grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, dried in metati over a slow fire with chestnut wood for at least 40 days, and finally ground in mills located in the production area itself.
At the end of the period dedicated to chestnuts, the millstones made of sandstone or serena stone are replaced by harder ones made of granite or flint, to grind wheat or spelt.
The miller's activity was once widespread.
Still today the territory of Fabbriche di Vallico consists mainly of chestnut forests, referred to as "the bread tree" having been an integral part of the diet of entire generations since the 1400s.
At the side of the mill, a refreshment stand was organized where one can taste typical Garfagnana products and is still one of the quality restaurants present in the territory of the municipality of Fabbriche di Vergemoli.
