Borgo San Gottardo

Standing here, in the heart of what was once “El Burg d’è furmagiatt”, the cheesemakers’ borough, you can almost smell the aged cheese and hear the clanging of carts loaded with fresh deliveries. Borgo San Gottardo, though now a vibrant district, still holds the secrets of its past. Imagine yourself walking down Corso San Gottardo, its narrow cobblestone streets lined with grand courtyards. These courtyards were once bustling with activity, each a mini-universe of its own. Just beyond the courtyard gates, you’d find rows of casere, the cheese-aging rooms. It’s hard to believe now, but these were once a sight to behold, sprawling spaces filled with rows of cheese, maturing in the cool, dark air. The bustling merchant ships arriving at the nearby Darsena would unload their precious cargo of cheese – the lifeblood of the Borgo. It was at the heart of the booming cheese trade, with every courtyard a microcosm of the larger city and its dependence on this vital industry. But the Borgo was more than just a center for cheese, it was a social hub. The courtyards were not just places of commerce but spaces for gathering, for community, and for sharing stories and knowledge. As we stand here, we can feel the echo of that energy, that sense of community, in the courtyards that now house cafes, restaurants, and studios. There’s a charm to the Borgo San Gottardo today, an undeniable history whispered in the weathered walls, paving stones, and stories passed down through generations. The Borgo San Gottardo, a place that once held the scent of aging cheese, now carries the fragrance of its rich past, a story you can still taste in every corner of the charming neighborhood.