An old mill in Cupramontana

Mulino del Barchio is an old stone mill built in the late Nineteenth century in the current valley of Cupramontana, also called “the valley of the mills”. It is precisely a former mill, which together with others, for two centuries used the source of river Esino for production purposes. The old mill was active until about 30 years ago and therefore, at the beginning of the works, the idea of bringing it back into operation was strong, then revalued due to the potential of the place, choosing to turn the structure into a B&B.

During the restoration of the old mill, the original features of the façade were kept, while the destination of the rooms has been completely revised. The main division, also visible from the two separate entrances, is represented by the private part for the owners, and by the area for the guests. Where once there were millstones, now there is the first living room, the private one of the owners. The guest area is divided as follows: on the ground floor, there is the entrance, the second living room, the study and the reception, while on the first floor there are four bedrooms and bathrooms, still part of the B&B.

The double roof of the old mill is very characteristic, a structure that is still in excellent condition, precisely because a mill needs solid foundations. The floor where the water used to pass was completely buried but the vaults are still there, even though the canal is closed. The structure is well squared and all in stone, reinforced during the renovation works only by new perimetral tie-beams.

The floorings have been rebuilt, as well as the roof. The heating is traditional while the thermal fireplace is also present, so turning on the fireplace you turn on the radiators of the entire private section of the owners. The property is about 4 hectares and there is an outbuilding that has not yet been restored and that was once the stable of the horse and then the shelter for the little truck.

The land is used as a vineyard and a field, all with a particular shape given by the layout of the rooms, although the arched parts are now buried and it is therefore difficult to understand that it used to be a mill.