Imagine life in the early 16th century. Cascina Meda was born then.
The Cascina Meda stands before us. It whispers tales of centuries past. It is located in Settala. The farmstead is near Milan.
Let’s delve into its history. The Cascina Meda is a quadrangular complex. Buildings surround a courtyard on all four sides.
On the north side, you’ll spot the stable. Part of the manor house sits on the northeast corner. Adjacent to the east is the granary. The south side features the farmhouse. It has an external balcony protected by a portico.
On the west side is the horse stable. A portico faces the courtyard. The structures are made of brick. They are coated with plaster. The roofs are wooden. They are covered with tiles.
The Cascina Meda’s location is interesting. To the west, it is mostly agricultural land. The Invernizzi estate is nearby. To the east, it is close to an industrial area. This area belongs to Vignate. The SP14 road passes just north of the Cascina Meda.
Two entrances pierce the closed courtyard on the south and west sides. The manor house is on the northeast corner. It has two floors and a portico.
The elegant granary is on the east side. It has blind arches. The farmhouse stands on the south side. Its external balcony is sheltered. Opposite it, along the north side, is the heifer stable. The horse stable is to the west. A portico has been added to it.
The Cascina Meda presents a unified image. It appears mostly from the 19th century. The oldest part is the manor house. It faces the courtyard. Its external walls reveal its age. Further investigation might reveal more secrets.
North of the courtyard are newer additions. These were built in the second half of the 20th century. They support the farm’s activities.
In 1721, the Cascina Meda belonged to the Trivulzio family. It was a large building with a closed courtyard. Land and gardens surrounded it. It was located in Premenugo. It was near San Pedrino, Vignate, Tranzenese and Lucino. The complex included the manor house. It also had a large stable on the north side. There were also farmworkers’ houses. Other stables and service buildings existed. Two fountain heads were nearby. One was called Fontanile Triulza.
The courtyard building has remained largely unchanged. It houses the old manor house and the large stable. There are farmworkers’ houses with balconies. Stables for horses with porticoes face the courtyard. Significant changes occurred outside the courtyard before 1855. These were expanded in the late 19th century.
Today, the Cascina Meda remains similar to the early 20th-century layout. New buildings have been added north of the main building. They are for agricultural use. They support animal breeding.
Today, the manor house is a residence. The farmworkers’ houses serve as a painter’s studio. They also serve as a workshop. The entire property is a working farm. The west portico is a stable. The north stable is a barn.
Historically, the farmworkers’ houses were residences. The property is owned by a non-profit organization.
The Cascina Meda stands as a testament to time. It connects us to centuries of rural life. It is a unique blend of history and agriculture.