Mulino dul Tač

About the museum

The mill is located at Piano, near the Zornasco stop of the Ferrovia Vigezzina, on the right-hand side of the provincial road to the hamlet. The 17th-century building has an L-shaped plan on two floors, one of them a basement, and on the east side it retains the hydraulic structures with two vertical wheels and one horizontal wheel. It was the largest of the 54 mills still operating in the Vigezzo Valley in the early decades of the 20th century, and it remained in operation until 1979. The nickname “Tač” was that of the last miller, Francesco Ielmoli.

The interior houses a large room with three millstones for rye and wheat, wholemeal flour, chestnuts and maize, and a fourth millstone used as a press to break down hemp. The building also contains the miller's living quarters, spaces for maintaining the gears and a small stable for the donkey that carried the grain. Water comes from the Melezzo orientale through a long mill race.

Bought by the municipality of Malesco in the early 2000s, the mill was restored in its machinery and building and included in the route of the Ecomuseo in summer 2007. Panels and audiovisuals explain how the machinery works and the chain of production; during the year the mill hosts events, workshops and exhibitions.

Highlights

• Three millstones for cereals and chestnuts, and one millstone for breaking down hemp
• Vertical and horizontal water wheels in the 17th-century building
• Miller's living quarters and small donkey stable
• Panels and audiovisuals on how the mill works and on the production chain
• Historic loom with practical demonstrations on special occasions

Permanent exhibition

• Museo del mulino ad acqua – Route through the restored mill with millstones, water wheels, the miller's living quarters, the stable, and panels with audiovisuals on the production chain.

Operated by

Comune di Malesco

Admission & discounts

Rates given for the 2025 summer season. Special events and guided visits are by compulsory booking, with voluntary donation.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

In the summer months workshops and readings for children are held (for example for children from 6 years old), with compulsory booking.

Getting there & parking

The mill is located at Piano, near the Zornasco stop, on the right-hand side of the provincial road to the hamlet.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit