Museo Fucina Morino
Museum | Mongrando | Piemonte | Italy
The Fucina Morino in Mongrando, Piedmont, is a significant Ecomuseum that documents the traditional ironworking of the region. The building, originally used as a forge, was constructed in the first half of the 19th century and is located on the banks of the Rio Tenerello. It is the last surviving example of small production facilities that used the water power of the river to operate their machinery.
Collections and Exhibitions
The museum houses an extensive collection of machines and tools used in ironworking, including:
Forge fires: A traditional forge fire used for heating the metal.
Hammers: Various types of hammers, including the "donkey head hammer," the American "dance hammer," and the vertical hammer with axis.
Grinding stones and drills: Tools for processing and refining the metal.
Lathes and transmission devices: Machines for the mechanical processing of metal parts.
Molds, anvils, tongs, and hammers: Various hand tools used in metalworking.
The exhibition also includes a variety of finished products such as sickles, files, machetes, pitchforks, shovels, knives, and even two French sword blades from the Napoleonic era.
Significance and Influence
The Fucina Morino plays a central role in preserving the cultural heritage of the region and provides visitors with an insight into traditional ironworking. It is part of the Ecomuseo Valle Elvo e Serra and the Biellese and Piedmontese museum networks.
Overall, the Fucina Morino makes a significant contribution to the cultural landscape of the Biellese and offers visitors the opportunity to discover the history and traditions of ironworking in the region.
