Imagine, if you will, the gentle clatter of hooves and the soft lowing of cattle. These are the sounds that greet you at Cascina Molini di San Giorgio.
Hello everyone. We are now standing before the historic Cascina Molini di San Giorgio. This captivating farmstead resides within the Parco di Monza. It offers a unique glimpse into the area’s agricultural past. It also provides a thriving example of modern sustainable farming.
Cascina Molini di San Giorgio’s story stretches back centuries. Before 1838, the Marquis Francesco Gerolamo Cravena owned a house with a mill on this site. Luigi Canonica rebuilt it. Then, in 1857, Giacomo Tazzini redesigned it. The complex originally featured two symmetrical buildings. One served as a residence. The other was for agricultural use. Six wooden waterwheels powered six stone grinding wheels. The Roggia Molinara, a diversion canal from the Lambro River, supplied the water. This canal was restored in 1987. Two symmetrical barns with brick arches flank the main buildings. Each building has a central tower. The perimeter walls are made of brick. The floors are wooden. The roofs are covered with terracotta tiles.
The Italian government acquired Cascina Molini di San Giorgio in 1937. It ceased production in 1952. The site was then transformed into a livestock farm. Today, it continues to operate as a farm. The Colosio brothers, Giuseppe and Sergio, manage the farm. Their work makes the Mulini San Giorgio a particularly interesting place. It provides a fascinating blend of history and agriculture within the park.
The farm practices organic farming. They produce milk and yogurt. The milk is supplied to Granarolo. You can buy the yogurt from a vending machine at the farm. The farm has 180 cattle. Ninety of them are milk cows. Milking is fully automated. The farm also houses 40 sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, geese, ducks, hens, peacocks, pigeons, and two dwarf pigs. These pigs are a popular attraction for children and adults.
The animals roam freely in the park. The fields are free of chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Cascina Mulino San Giorgio is easily accessible from the park’s entrances. The San Giorgio entrance and the Villasanta-Via Deledda entrance are closest.
Visiting Cascina Molini di San Giorgio provides a delightful experience. It is a step back in time. It is also a chance to witness sustainable farming in action. Children can feed the animals grass from the park. Everyone can enjoy fresh, organic yogurt.
As you leave Cascina Molini di San Giorgio, consider the blend of history and nature. This farm embodies the spirit of the Parco di Monza. It connects us to the land. It also provides a taste of authentic Italian agriculture.