“Locanda di Teodolinda” can you imagine those words whispered in the corridors of time right here at Cascina Castellazzo? According to some accounts, this grand old farmhouse was once the summer residence of Queen Teodolinda. She was the Lombard queen herself.
Cascina Castellazzo whispers tales of ancient settlements. The area around it was once inhabited by the Orobi. The Liguri Celts and Etruscans also lived here before the Romans arrived.
Let’s step back in time. Picture Lombard families constructing this quadrangular building. It was designed as a defense. It controlled access to Milan and Bergamo. The building and surrounding structures formed a “fara”. This is how the locality got its name “fara Basiliana”.
The area was famous for its viticulture. People produced a highly appreciated wine here. Many authors celebrated this wine. As the Lombard territory expanded Castellazzo became Queen Teodolinda’s summer residence. After converting to Catholicism she ordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to San Carlo.
Many rooms in the present-day farmhouse are still called “Locanda di Teodolinda”. After losing its defensive function the complex became a residence for local farmers. It was completely abandoned in the mid-1970s.
However, Cascina Castellazzo’s story doesn’t end there. In the 1990s it was transformed into an educational farm. A community dedicated to hospitality moved in.
In September 1994, the Castellazzo community was born. Bruno and Enrica Volpi identified this farmhouse in Basiano. It would become a place to start a new adventure. The structure seemed ideal for the project. It was a large circular farmhouse. All the houses faced a central courtyard. There were large spaces to open the community to the territory. The farmhouse was completely uninhabitable back then.
The Pio Istituto pei Figli della Divina Provvidenza purchased the structure. They granted it in free loan for 30 years. The families and the community began three years of work for the renovation. This is how Castellazzo was born.
Many lives have crossed paths in this beautiful farmhouse. Numerous families have shared the choice of a communal life. Many people from different backgrounds experienced a piece of their journey in the houses of the community. Many friends groups and associations used the welcoming spaces of the farmhouse.
Around the central courtyard are the families’ apartments. Each apartment is very large. This makes hospitality in the family always possible. Four one or two-room apartments host situations requiring semi-autonomy. A large two-room apartment has been managed with the municipal administration for an SPRAR project. Two large halls two small halls a kitchen an external canopy and a guesthouse with five rooms welcome groups.
Three realities more linked to the agricultural dimension of the territory have arisen around the farmhouse over time. The historic Fattoria Didattica del Castellazzo combines goat breeding and cheese production. AgriMi is a social cooperative that cultivates and markets organic products. It provides job placement for disadvantaged individuals. TerraMadre is involved in a project to enhance ancient cultivation techniques.
Today Cascina Castellazzo is an agricultural company. The Fattoria Didattica Cascina Castellazzo is run by Barbara Grazia. It is connected to the Community of families of Castellazzo. The company focuses on the social aspect of its activity. It embraces the ideals of hospitality sharing and simplicity.
At the educational farm children can discover many things. They discover goats kids and goat cheese. They will also find an orchard. Here they can plant something or build a scarecrow.
They can work with wool. They can create felt flowers. They can put their hands in dough. They also can recycle. The farm also presents old games.
So as you stand here at Cascina Castellazzo remember its long history. It has evolved from a defensive structure. It transformed into a queen’s residence. It became a farm and eventually a community center. It continues to evolve. It embraces hospitality education and sustainability.