- VILLATICO'S VILLAGE & THE MILLS ROUTE -
Perhaps not many know that in the old nucleus of Villatico (Frazione di Colico - Lecco), 12 mills were in operation in the past centuries. Their large wheels were moved by the water channeled into the "mill canal" and operated other simple machines that allowed them to beat or "full" fabrics and above all to grind grain.
Coming down from the Févra water you can see sections of canalization with skilfully connected stones, pillars that still support canals in stone slabs that conveyed the water on the wheels of the mills. In the space of a few decades, the presence of these brilliant and ecological machines has been (almost) canceled, which, using clean and renewable energy, have allowed local communities to live for almost a millennium.
The first dates back to 1239. A two-wheel mill or molestino is documented as early as 1627 and stood near the church and the wash house. This three-storey rural building, with a sunlit roof on the facade, housed the millstone on the ground floor, driven by the movement of the large wheel, moved by the water that fell from the inclined plane. The channels and manhole covers that allowed to regulate or interrupt the flow of water are still visible.
Now, almost 60 years after the closing of the last mill, together Molino Maufet , Molino Murgana , Molino Seregni , Molino Secrista and Latteria di Villatico have reopened a chapter of important local historical evidence.
It is possible to visit the ancient and suggestive village of mills by choosing between two itineraries, both suitable for adults and children and well signposted (maps with details and contacts in A5 format available free of charge by writing toinfo@molinomaufet.comor by contacting the number +39 366 7404948- also WhatsApp):
1. Direct path between the Mills ( 1.5km outward journey + 1.5km return; total height difference + 200m / -200m - Follow brown tourist road signs - part is unpaved). Church of San Bernardino -->Mill Secrista-->Villatico Dairy--> Molino Maufet --> Molino Seregni--> Molino Murgana;
2. Molini CAI Ring Path Path - 1B(1.5 km outward + 1.5 km back; total height difference + 200m /-200m - Follow the CAI "Anello Molini" signs - almost entirely dirt road). Church of San Bernardino --> Molino Secrista --> Dairy of Villatico --> Molino Maufet --> Molini CAI Ring --> Ancient Votive Chapel --> Molino Murgana --> Molino Seregni --> return._cc781905-5cde -3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
The Sentiero dei Molini is an ancient track.. it has recently been reopened and is kept clean only by volunteers.. it is available to everyone and it is truly a pleasant walk.. anyone wishing to contribute by dedicating a few hours of their time to help us can write toinfo@molinomaufet.comor alternatively contact +39 366 7404948. At the same time, on behalf of all the mill owners, we ask for a little patience in these early days in case the conditions weren't always perfect. of people and the systematic cleaning of the vegetation will make it autonomously "permanent" again.*Maintenance 2023 scheduled - Path in good conditions - During the autumn/winter season, we advise you to prefer the left-hand variant as regards the dirt road and to use suitable footwear.
NB. The Mills can also be visited internally subject to availability of the owners and reservation (info@molinomaufet.comor+39 366 7404948). Both routes as indicated are suitable for everyone, but for pushchairs only in the sections Church of San Bernardino - Molino Maufet. Alternatively, from Molino Maufet you can reach the other mills by walking along Via Fontanedo or by car following the brown tourist road signs.
There is a Picnic area equipped with tables and water in Loc. Robustello in front of Molino Murgana.*Maintenance 2023 in planning. Alternatively, it is possible to have a picnic near the Torre di Fontanedo. We ask everyone to respect the greenery and not abbleaveand refuse.
SHOPPING, LUNCH AND DINNER IN THE VILLAGE :)
LAURA'S FOOD (Mrs. Laura, after a lifetime granted herself a well-deserved retirement: unfortunately the grocery HAS CLOSED on 30 September 2022.. if anyone is interested in reopening the only beloved and very popular shop in the village, write toinfo@molinomaufet.com or contact us at+39 366 7404948- also WhatsApp for more info!)
Don't miss the well-kept Alimentari di Laura shop in the center of the village, behind the Church of San Bernardino; foreign tourists have renamed it "Little Harrods" because you will really find everything there.. if you don't see something on display, ask for it and it will appear as if from a magic hat! He will also be happy to prepare you excellent sandwiches for your picnic and you will find fresh brioches in the morning..
📍Via Asilo 17, Colico (LC)- 📞 For info and reservations +39 0341 940858
🕑 Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 07.30 - 12.30 and 16.00 - 19.30 | Sunday 7.30 - 12.00
ANCIENT TURNARIA DAIRY in VILLATICO
Right next to the mill, the flavors of the past, the desire for tradition and quality milk are the fundamental ingredients to guarantee a healthy and genuine product.. taste it and find out for yourself..
📍Via Fontanedo 27, Colico (LC)
🕑 Opening hours (updated to April 2022): Saturday morning 09.30 - 12.00
PIZZERIA RESTAURANT (with wood oven | also take away) KU'DAMM by Cristina
In the heart of the village of Villatico, a few steps from the Church of San Bernardino, you will find the delightful restaurant of Cristina, always ready to welcome you with a smile in a familiar environment and to innovate her menu whether it is pizza or fish dishes to the meat..
📍Via Campione 4, Colico (LC)- 📞 For info and reservations (also WhatsApp) +39 334 7236236
🕑 Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday lunch 11.00 - 14.00 and dinner 18.00 - 00.00 | Monday closed
📜Consult the Menu
🏅 TripAdvisor
MARCO'S ROBUSTELLO OSTERIA
In Località Robustello, right where the Sentiero dei Molini joins the Ring of Fontanedo and the crossroads for San Rocco, you will find this suggestive Osteria immersed in the woods, housed in a house from 1803 full of rustic furnishings with beams and exposed stone. Delicious typical and rustic dishes of traditional cuisine..
📍Location Robustello - Via Chiaro 85, Colico (LC)- 📞 Advance booking recommended+39 389 0721013
🕑 Opening hours (updated to April 2022): Friday dinner only 19.00 - 22.30 | Saturday and Sunday lunch 12.00 - 14.30 and dinner 19.00 - 22.30 | Reachable both on foot (from the Sentiero dei Molini or from the Fontanedo ring or from the Sentiero del Viandante) and by car
🏅 TripAdvisor
VILLAGE AND TOWER OF FONTANEDO
From Molino Murgana it is possible to continue and easily reach the suggestive village of in a few minutes Fontanedo, first settlement of Colico following the indications CAI "Anello di Fontanedo".Starting from 2 June 2019 it is also possible to visit the ancient and panoramic Tower of Fontanedo restored and managed by the White War Museum (Fort Montecchio North And Fort of Fuentes).The Tower can be visited in JUNE every Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 17.00, from 1 JULY every day from 10.00 to 17.00. ℹ️ For any info:+39 0341 940322
The complete calendars 2023 with opening days,timetables and contacts are available in the links below.
It is a beautiful medieval tower built in 1357 by Barnabò Visconti who helped warn the local populations of possible invasions from the lake and land. It was redeveloped during the period of Spanish domination, remaining active until the 18th century in the defensive complex headed by Fuentes.
The Tower can only be reached on foot:
📍 from Sentiero dei Molini;
📍 from the Robustello location;
📍 along the itinerary of the Mills "Anello Molini CAI" which starts from the Church of San Bernardino di Villatico. Once in front of Molino Murgana it is in fact possible to continue on the "Anello Fontanedo CAI”.. and, in a few minutes on foot, visit the village of Fontanedo and the magnificent Tower, discovering, with a breathtaking view of the lake, another little piece of history.. there where everything for the Mills and for Colico began..
