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