Perhaps you’ve heard of Milan’s exquisite fashion or historical cathedrals. But have you ever thought about its vital water system? Right here is Cà dell’Acqua.
Cà dell’Acqua began as a small rural locality. It was first mentioned in 1375. Ursina Visconti acquired the lands then. She was the widow of Matteo.
In the 17th century the Trivulzio family owned Cà dell’Acqua. Under Napoleon from 1809 to 1816 Cà dell’Acqua was part of Cazzimani. It regained its autonomy later. This happened with the formation of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia.
In 1861 Italy was unified. At that time Cà dell’Acqua had 543 residents. In 1865 Cà dell’Acqua merged with Cazzimani permanently.
Now let’s fast forward to the early 1900s. The Municipality of Milan designed a pumping station in 1906. It became one of Milan’s oldest water supply systems. It was even showcased during the World Expo in Milan that year.
For decades this place functioned as a water factory. Then in 2018 MM spa stepped in. It is the public engineering company of Milan. They redeveloped the plant. It became a cultural and educational space. It focuses on water and sustainability issues. The station became Centrale dell’Acqua di Milano.
Today Centrale dell’Acqua is a vibrant museum. It is a hub for environmental education. Schools of all ages come here. It is a place for everyone. It encourages dialogue with the community.
Inside Centrale dell’Acqua you can explore exhibitions. Cultural events and expert meetings happen here. Workshops also take place. You can learn about water resources. Discover sustainable water use. See the evolution of Milan’s water service. This goes from the late 19th century to today.
The museum has a permanent collection. You will see historical tools and machinery. There are maps photos and original documents. These items date from the late 19th to mid-20th century.
The machine room is the heart of the museum. It has kept its original appearance. You can view electric control panels. See manual workbenches. Observe equipment used for water extraction.
One of the most significant items is a screw turbine. Costruzioni Meccaniche Riva produced it in 1920. Also see the Venturi meter. It measured the plant’s flow. Don’t miss the bridge crane on the ceiling.
Centrale dell’Acqua also hosts temporary exhibitions. “The Water Factory” displays the Milan Aqueduct’s history. This covers 1888 to the present. You will find maps projects and photos. These are from the MM historical archive.
Another exhibition features Claudio Onorato’s art. His work often focuses on water. The museum also hosts the World Water Day Photo Contest. This event raises awareness about the global climate crisis. It highlights the importance of water management.
So as you leave Cà dell’Acqua remember its layers of history. From a rural village to a vital water plant and now a modern museum. It shows Milan’s dedication to both its past and its future.