A whispered secret. That’s what the Ecomuseo della Roggia Mora feels like. Here before us stands this late 15th-century building. It’s more than just a mill. It’s a living testament to Ludovico il Moro’s generosity and Leonardo da Vinci’s genius.
The Ecomuseo della Roggia Mora wasn’t always a museum. In 1494 Ludovico il Moro gifted it as a wedding present to his wife Beatrice d’Este. Imagine the grandeur of that gesture. A working water mill. A symbol of power and prosperity.
After Beatrice’s death in 1498 the mill changed hands. It passed to the Dominican order of Santa Maria delle Grazie. They owned it until Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops confiscated it. A dramatic shift in ownership. A tangible reminder of history’s turbulent currents.
The Marchese Saporiti later repurchased the Ecomuseo della Roggia Mora in 1803. He left it to his nephew. This nephew even received the title of Marchese della Sforzesca from King Charles Albert of Piedmont in 1845. Quite a legacy.
The Ecomuseo della Roggia Mora’s story continues. The Archinto Gropallo Saporiti Counts eventually transferred it in 1988. The Association Irrigazione Est Sesia now owns this remarkable place.
In 2000 it opened as a museum. Thanks to the Est Sesia the Region of Lombardy and the Comune di Vigevano. This remarkable transformation breathes new life into this historic structure.
Inside you’ll discover captivating exhibitions. One showcases the evolution of the landscape. Forty panels tell this fascinating story. Another highlights Leonardo da Vinci’s machines. Skillful artisans Gabriele Niccolai and Dario Noè with the approval of Professor Carlo Pedretti recreated them. These wooden machines are fully functional. They offer a unique hands-on experience.
Legends whisper of secret meetings between Ludovico il Moro and Cecilia Gallerani. The ‘Lady with an Ermine’ model for Leonardo’s painting. Their spirits supposedly still roam this very mill. It’s easy to believe it. This place is filled with history.
Outside a spacious garden awaits. A lab dedicated to water irrigation measurement. A multifunctional hall for events. The Ecomuseo della Roggia Mora is not just a museum. It’s a vibrant center for culture and learning.
The Associazione culturale ‘La città Ideale’ manages the Ecomuseo della Roggia Mora. They curate the exhibitions. They organize tours workshops and even multi-day excursions. These combine a visit to the Ecomuseo with other local attractions. A true immersive experience awaits.
The Ecomuseo della Roggia Mora is much more than a simple mill. It’s a journey through time a tribute to history a testament to ingenuity. It is a hidden gem.