“A museum of peasant life?” you might ask. Well step right up to Cascina Carlotta. Here in San Giuliano Milanese stands a testament to rural life. Cascina Carlotta is more than just a farm. It’s a living museum a time capsule. For centuries Cascina Carlotta has witnessed the rhythm of agricultural life. The main house dates back to the 17th century. It has survived with remarkable simplicity and integrity. The noble Brivio family owned it between the 13th and 16th centuries. Then it passed to Margherita Dal Pozzo Bonacina. Later the nuns of Santa Maria Maddalena al Cerchio in Milan acquired it.
Imagine Luisa Carminati. She wasn’t just a farmer. She was an artist. She documented the daily life of Cascina Carlotta with pastel drawings. These drawings are incredibly clear and almost photographic in their detail. They accompany the tools and artifacts in the museum. They tell the story of her life. They help us understand the past. Her collection is a key part of the museum named in her honor. The museum shows how she unknowingly foresaw multimedia presentations. Her work provides captions for the recovered objects.
The Viganò family now runs Cascina Carlotta. They continue the tradition of dairy farming. They have approximately 210 dairy cows. They use traditional feeding methods. They mainly use forage from permanent meadows. This contrasts with intensive farming practices that rely heavily on silage. Their commitment to animal welfare results in richer tastier milk. You can even taste this exceptional milk at the farm’s 24/7 automatic dispenser.
But Cascina Carlotta offers more than milk. The farm shop sells the family’s products. These include beef from their own cattle and cheese. They also stock other items from local farms. These include eggs yogurt honey rice and cheeses from goats and sheep. This supports the local agricultural community. The Viganò family cares about the environment. They maintain extensive meadows. They collaborate with the WWF to protect the Giandon a centuries-old oak tree.
Cascina Carlotta is a place of history. It’s a place of tradition. It’s a place of community. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine. Come explore its charming atmosphere. Discover the rich heritage of Cascina Carlotta. Leave with a deeper appreciation for rural life and its enduring legacy.