Mulino Museo
Water mill from the 15th century in the historic centre of Bienno, with millstones, a water wheel and a collection of objects from rural life in Valcamonica.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Mulino Museo is in the historic centre of Bienno, in Valcamonica, and is a symbol of the village's working culture. Together with the Fucina Museo, it forms the original core of the Museo Etnografico del Ferro, delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari (Ethnographic Museum of Iron, Crafts and Folk Traditions). The building dates from the 15th century and has kept its original structure inside and out. It belonged to the Tempini family, who lived in the large palazzo on the square above, and was sold to the Comune in 1985. The flood of 1634 destroyed part of it, but the 17th-century restoration made it operational again.
Over three floors, the ground floor houses the machinery, while the two upper floors contain the miller's dwelling, which has kept its original layout and can be visited. The maize millstones are in excellent condition. On the first floor, explanatory panels and simple machinery serve the workshops. Outside you can see the large water wheel and the long raised canal that brings water from the Vaso Rè.
The collection documents agro-silvo-pastoral goods and activities: livestock farming, dairy processing, haymaking, cereal growing, viticulture, beekeeping, wool processing and weaving, as well as household furnishings, furniture, clothing, family economy and popular religious life. The museum is part of the route of the Ecomuseo del Vaso Rè e della Valle dei Magli.
Highlights
- Three-storey water mill from the 15th century
- Large water wheel and raised Vaso Rè canal
- Maize millstones in excellent condition
- Intact miller's dwelling
- Collection of agro-silvo-pastoral goods from Valcamonica
Permanent exhibition
- Mulino e raccolta di vita contadina – Water mill with machinery, water wheel, miller's dwelling and a collection of objects linked to the farming and pastoral activities of the valley.
- Operated by
- Comune di Bienno
- Visitors per year
- approx. 65,000
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the municipality's website, Bienno's museum system is also accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Typical products of Valcamonica can be bought inside.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The first floor is equipped for workshops, and a virtual tour of the mill is available on the website. |
