Envision a landscape where the past whispers. That landscape surrounds the Molino Dorino. It stands as Milan’s last surviving watermill with intact machinery. This is a monument to a bygone era.
The Molino Dorino. Its name echoes through Milan. Some recognize it as a metro stop. Others think of the Motorizzazione Civile. Few connect the name to an actual mill. Yet, here it stands. It is a symbol of a society now faded into history.
This mill once served the community of Trenno. Trenno was an ancient village. It nestled near Pero. The Olona River flowed through it. Today, the Molino Dorino is surrounded by modern structures. These include apartment blocks and the metro station.
The Molino Dorino nearly faced demolition in 2017. Plans were made to expand the ATM depot. Fortunately, the city council intervened. Community committees rallied to save it.
Documents from the 17th century first mention the Molino Dorino. It ground flax for oil. It processed rice and wheat. The mill also served the Lombard courts nearby. Its work was vital for Trenno and the surrounding areas.
In the 19th century, the Lauzi family owned the Molino Dorino. The Dorino family acquired it in the early 20th century. They rebuilt the structure. This gave it its current horseshoe shape.
Until the 1980s, the Molino Dorino actively milled grain. The nearby Pero incinerator caused problems. The millstream dried up. This halted the waterwheel’s operation.
The building itself is simple. The central part was for grinding grain. A side area was used for storing agricultural products. The millstream had a unique design. It gave the water considerable hydraulic force. This made the wheel turn efficiently.
The Molino Dorino still has its five millstones. It also has gears and transmission belts. These are well-preserved. It’s the last mill in Milan with such complete machinery.
The Cagnola spring powered the Molino Dorino. This spring flows into the Olona River in Pero. The mill stands between the metro station and the Motorizzazione Civile. It is near the junction connecting the Sempione road and the Tangenziale Ovest.
Today, the Molino Dorino awaits a purpose. It stands as a precious reminder. It whispers of a distant time. Imagine the carts arriving. They were full of wheat and rice. Families lived and worked here. They sang and prayed here. This was Trenno then. It is not Trenno now.
As you stand here, consider the Molino Dorino’s resilience. It survived neglect and a planned demolition. It persists as a symbol of Milan’s industrial past. May its stones grind again. May new stories emerge from this historic site.