- 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 choosing between two itineraries, both suitable for adults and children and well marked (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 route between the mills (1,5 km outward + 1,5 km return; total height difference + 200m / -200m - Follow brown tourist road signs - part is unpaved). Church of San Bernardino ->Molino Secrista->Villatico dairy-> Molino Maufet -> Molino Seregni-> Molino Murgana;
2. Path of the Molini CAI ring path - 1B(1.5 km outward + 1.5 km return; total height difference + 200m / -200m - Follow the CAI "Anello Molini" signs - almost entirely unpaved). Church of San Bernardino -> Molino Secrista -> Villatico Dairy -> Molino Maufet -> Molini CAI Ring -> Ancient Votive Chapel -> Molino Murgana -> Molino Seregni -> return._cc781905-5cde -3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
The Path of the Mills is an ancient path .. it has recently been reopened and is kept clean only by volunteers .. it is available to everyone and it is really 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 the +39 366 7404948. We ask at the same time, on behalf of all the owners of the Molini, a little patience in these early days in case the conditions were not always perfect .. until recently the track had turned into a wood and only the continuous passage of people and the systematic cleaning of the vegetation will make it "permanent" again in an autonomous way.* Maintenance carried out 2022 Sentiero in good conditions - During the autumn / winter season, we recommend that you prefer the left-hand variant as regards the dirt section and use suitable footwear.
NB. The mills can also be visited internally subject to availability of the owners and booking (info@molinomaufet.comor+39 366 7404948). Both paths as indicated are suitable for everyone, but for strollers only in the sections of the 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 aPicnic areaequipped with tables and water in Loc. Robustello in front of Molino Murgana.* Maintenance performed 2022. Alternatively, it is possible to have a picnic near the Torre di Fontanedo. We ask everyone to respect the green and not to abbandonarand waste.
SHOPPING, LUNCH AND DINNER IN THE VILLAGE :)
FOOD by LAURA(Mrs. Laura, after a whole life has granted herself a well-deserved pension: the food shop has unfortunately CLOSED on September 30, 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!)
Do not miss in the center of the village, behind the Church of San Bernardino, the well-kept shop of Alimentari di Laura; foreign tourists have renamed it "Little Harrods" because you will really find anything 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 excellent sandwiches for your picnic and you will find fresh croissants in the morning .._ cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
📍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 DAIRY TURNARIA of VILLATICO
Right next to the Molino, the flavors of the past, the desire for tradition and quality milk are the fundamental ingredients to guarantee a healthy and genuine product .. taste and discover it for yourself .._ cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
📍Via Fontanedo 27, Colico (LC)
🕑 Opening hours (updated to April 2022): Saturday morning 09.30 - 12.00
RESTAURANT PIZZERIA (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 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
OSTERIA DEL ROBUSTELLO by MARCO
In Località Robustello, right where the Path of the Molini joins the Fontanedo Ring and the crossroads for San Rocco, you will find this suggestive Osteria immersed in the woods, housed in a 1803 house full of rustic furnishings with exposed beams and stone. Delicious typical and rustic dishes of traditional cuisine .._ cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
📍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 Ring of Fontanedo or from the Sentiero del Viandante) or by car
VILLAGE AND TOWER OF FONTANEDO
From Molino Murgana it is possible to continue and easily reach the charming village ofFontanedo, first settlement of Colico following the signsCAI "Fontanedo ring".Starting from 2 June 2019 it is also possible to visit the ancient and panoramic Tower of Fontanedorestored and managed by the White War Museum (Fort Montecchio NordAndFort of Fuentes) ._ cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Forte Montecchio Nord, Forte di Fuentes and Torre di Fontanedo have reopened their doors on Saturday 12 March 2022 and will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm! ℹ️ For any info:+39 0341 940322
The complete 2022 calendars 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 to warn the local populations of possible invasions from the lake and from the land. It was redeveloped during the period of Spanish domination remaining active until the 18th century in the defensive complex that was headed by Fuentes.
The Tower can only be reached on foot:
📍 fromPath of the Wayfarer;
📍from the Robustello area;
📍 along the itinerary of the Molini “Anello Molini CAI” which starts from the Church of San Bernardino di Villatico. Once in front of the Molino Murgana it is in fact possible to continue on the "CAI ring of Fontanedo".. 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 piece of history .. where everything began for the Molini and for Colico ..
