Le cascine: patrimonio dell’archeologia agricola della val padana

Since 17th century due to the conversion of agriculture to capitalism, in the Po valley the cascina (a courtyard farm) established itself as an agrarian production centre, evolving into a multifunctional structure closely connected with territory. It was often self-sufficient social centre, thanks to the presence of agricultural activities, breeding and food processing, as well as services (school, church). In the second half of 20th century, agricultural mechanization and industrial development caused a severe decrease of agricultural employees, originating rural areas depopulation and farmsteads abandonment; therefore the lack of maintenance originated a gradual degradation and many constructions turned to ruin. Nowadays neglected agrarian buildings represent a real agricultural archaeology heritage, that connotes Po valley landscape and recalls the archetype of rural life. Since the 1990s, a growing nostalgia of rural lifestyle has developed, following by the development of agrarian estate refurbishments as permanent or holiday homes; but the lack of a common technical culture of restoration brought to disrespectful works. Safeguard and valorisation strategies shouldn’t be based only on cultural interest declaration, that concerns emerging goods and not widespread heritage: it is essential to raise users’ and technicians’ awareness; provincial and regional authorities should issue guidelines for drawing up local planning instruments, that encourage more respectful actions also through incentives or tax relief.