Italian
An iconic place that characterizes the landscape. 150 years later, the Motta di Campocroce spinning mill is still an example of industrial archaeology to be admired for its integrity; located in the hamlet of Mogliano Veneto, it represents the cultural and identity heart of the area.
MOGLIANO VENETO (TV). Second half of the 19th century. Even the Venetian countryside was affected by the development of companies that would drive the economy of Northern Italy. In many parts of our territory, the industry focused on silkworm breeding and silk processing. This also happened in Mogliano, where Pietro Motta developed his business by also focusing on silkworms.
Pietro Motta, once an industrialist looking towards the future, had the intuition to develop the processing of silkworms, focusing on the productive organization of silkworm seeds to be placed on the market. Unfortunately, silkworm diseases had halved production throughout Europe, and the production of new silkworms, which also came from Japan, became a strong source of development for the producing company.
Pietro Motta increased the staff of his company by bringing in women, known as “spinners,” from other parts of the region, and within a few years, the factory in Mogliano became one of the most important in the province. For over seventy years, its large windows, terracotta floors, and imposing chimney saw dozens of employees come and go, extracting precious silk material from the cocoons.
Archaeological-Industrial Recovery
Unfortunately, the events of the new century, World War I, the crisis of 1929, and the policies of the regime deeply affected a sector, the silk sector, which needed a broad reference market.
Closed definitively after World War II, the structure of the spinning mill had been completely abandoned for at least 30 years and there was virtually nothing left of the old machinery when the Franco family, originally from Sernaglia della Battaglia, purchased the property in 1989.
Since then, the complex has been the subject of careful archaeological-industrial recovery that has enhanced its spaces, turning it into a modern service center where design companies, architectural studios, and associates have found the ideal place to develop their creativity. During the summer, the silk mill is also a privileged place for theater reviews and cultural events that range across various sectors.
In the beautiful setting of the Venetian countryside in a place full of history, today there are artistic workshops, creative studios, and consultants from various sectors. The architectural complex and the large outdoor spaces are also the ideal place to set up and celebrate social events, institutional events, fashion, and cultural events.
Photo credits: Network of Geo Stories at a local scale
