“Courtyard-provided farmstead” is a literal translation for Cascina Picula. It hints at the heart of this historic place.
Cascina Picula stands as a testament to Milan’s agricultural past. These rural buildings were once common in the Po Valley. They shaped the landscape and lives of countless people. We are standing before one such cascina. It offers us a glimpse into that bygone era.
The term “cascina” dates back to the Middle Ages. It was often spelt capsina or caxina. The word likely derives from Vulgar Latin capsia meaning corral. Some believe it comes from Old Italian cascio meaning cheese. This suggests a link to dairy farming.
Cascina Picula would have been the center of a large cultivated land. Buildings lined the courtyard’s perimeter. These included houses for the owner and peasants. Stables barns and dairies were also essential. Cascina Picula was a self-sufficient community. Some cascine even had churches inns or schools. For protection some were fortified with walls towers and moats.
Peasants in cascine had specialized roles. Campari maintained irrigation. Bergamini cared for cattle. Casari worked in the dairy. Bifolchi managed ox-driven tillage. Contadini were general farmers. Larger cascine also employed carpenters masons and blacksmiths.
Cascina Picula likely produced wheat maize and rice. Arboriculture was also common. Cottonwood elm and mulberry trees were grown. Cascine near cities specialized in perishable vegetables. These were sold at urban markets.
The 20th century saw a decline in cascine’s economic importance. Many were abandoned or demolished. Some were repurposed into residential or commercial buildings. Airports were even built on former cascina lands.
But old-fashioned cascine still exist in the Lombard countryside. In 2008, 43 cascine still produced milk in Milan. Today Cascina Picula reminds us of the area’s rich farming heritage.
Many place names in Lombardy include the word cascina. This shows the lasting impact of these farmsteads. Even if the name is just omitted and the toponym preserves the mere cascina’s name.
The Tree of Wooden Clogs and 1900 are two popular movies. They accurately depict life in a cascina. They show the daily routines and challenges of rural communities. These films bring the history of cascine to life.
Cascina Linterno is another notable cascina in Milan. It is believed to have been Petrarch’s country residence. It also served as a Hospitaller or Templar community seat. It has been declared as a national monument.
Cascina Picula stands as a reminder. It connects us to Milan’s agricultural roots. It reminds us of self-sufficient communities. These communities shaped the landscape and culture of the Po Valley. As we leave Cascina Picula let us remember its story. It is a story of hard work community and the land.