LE CASCINE: PATRIMONIODELL’ARCHEOLOGIAAGRICOLA DELLA

VALPADANA

ValentinaCinieri , Emanuele Zamperini1 2

1 DipartimentodiIngegneriaCivileeArchitettura(DICAr),UniversitàdegliStudidiPavia,via

Ferratan.1, valentina.cinieri@gmail.com

2 DipartimentodiIngegneriaCivileeArchitettura(DICAr),UniversitàdegliStudidiPavia,viaFerratan.1,

emanzamp@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Since 17th century due to the conversion of agriculture to capitalism, in the valley the cascina (a courtyard 

farm) established itself as an agrarian production centre, evolving into a multifunctional structure closely

connected with territory. It was often self-sufficient social centre, thanks to the presence of agricultural

activities,breedingandfoodprocessing,aswellasservices(school,church).

In the second half of 20th century, agricultural mechanization and industrial development caused a severe

decrease of agricultural employees, originating rural areas depopulation and farmsteads abandonment;

thereforethelackofmaintenanceoriginatedagradualdegradationandmanyconstructionsturnedtoruin.

Nowadays neglected agrarian buildings represent a real agricultural archaeology heritage, that connotes

valleylandscapeandrecallsthearchetypeofrurallife.

Since the 1990s, a growing nostalgia of rural lifestyle has developed, following by the development of

agrarian estate refurbishments as permanent or holiday homes; but the lack of a common technical culture of

restorationbroughttodisrespectfulworks.

Safeguard and valorisation strategies shouldn’t be based only on cultural interest declaration, that concerns

emerging goods and not widespread heritage: it is essential to raise users’ and technicians’ awareness;

provincial and regional authorities should issue guidelines for drawing up local planning instruments, that

encouragemorerespectfulactionsalsothroughincentivesortaxrelief.

Parolechiave/Key-words: Ruralheritage,Cascina,preservation,valorisation