“Bricks, tiles, memories” someone could have written here on the wall. Right here stands the Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo. It is a testament to a bygone era in Vighignolo. Imagine this place bustling with activity. It was the early 1900s. A private company built this Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo to produce building materials.
First, they constructed the brick kilns. Workers fed these kilns coal through cast iron nozzles. The goal was to maintain a consistent temperature day and night. Around the kilns lay several yards. These yards were for the actual brick making process. The process involved mixing clay with water. This created a smooth and workable material. Workers then pressed the clay into wooden molds.
After shaping the bricks they were placed in the yards to dry in the sun. After about a week, workers moved the bricks to the kilns for firing. Besides bricks, the Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo also produced roof tiles based on demand.
The work was generally done by the residents of Vighignolo. Some workers focused solely on brick making. Others loaded and unloaded the kilns. At least two firemen were responsible for maintaining the kiln temperatures. They worked day and night. Some villagers owned horses and carts. They transported materials to customers’ homes. It was truly a chain of work. From spring to early autumn it kept many people employed. During peak production, the Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo even hired workers from nearby towns. They were mainly for kiln work.
But the Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo was more than just a workplace for the people of Vighignolo. It soon became a social hub. It was like a second home for many families in the village. Workers’ wives often came to the Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo. They used the intense heat from the cast iron nozzles to do laundry or cook soup.
Often, entire families gathered around the Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo. They shared meals creating a strong sense of community. It was common to see families sharing their meager food. The economic conditions of the time fostered generosity.
The Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo operated until 1939. That year Germany, the sole supplier of coal, entered the war. Due to the war effort, Germany could no longer supply coal. This forced the Vighignolo plant to close.
Since then, the entire complex has gradually fallen into ruin. Today, little remains standing. However, the ruins still echo with the stories of the people. They once worked and gathered at the Vecchia Fornace di Vighignolo. It is a poignant reminder of a community’s industry and solidarity.