Mulino del Dosso: between stone, water, and memory in Valgerola

In the heart of Valgerola, right on the border between the municipalities of Rasura and Cosio Valtellino, there is a place that simply and powerfully tells the story of mountain life in the past: the Mulino del Dosso.

Built at the turn of the XVIII century and the beginning of the XIX, this mill harnessed the energy of the Rio Fiume, a stream that still flows just a few meters from the structure. Its name is linked to the hill on which it stands, and today it represents a rare example of perfectly restored rural architecture returned to its ancient splendor.

🌿 A piece of farming history

The Mulino del Dosso was built during a time when a new milling technique was gaining popularity: a device entirely made of wood, powered by water's force. The mill had two grinding stones and was for nearly two centuries the reference point for the production of white bread flour and flours for polenta, a staple food of the Valtellinese diet.

In the 1990s, long abandoned, the building was at risk of collapsing into the stream. But in 1997, thanks to an important recovery intervention, it was restored and transformed into a cultural asset. In 1999, the mill resumed grinding and is now fully operational.

🏫 Vanseraf Ethnographic Museum

Today, the Mulino del Dosso houses the Vanseraf Ethnographic Museum, dedicated to its founder, Serafino Vaninetti, who collected and preserved dozens of tools and implements from the valley's farming culture. Every exhibited item is authentic and comes directly from the territory.

The masonry renovations were carried out using local materials and traditional techniques. The roof made of stone slabs was also redone by the "teciàtt," expert masters from the area. This makes the mill not just a museum, but also a living testimony of ancient knowledge.

Around the mill, wheat fields still feed the grinding stones: it is a virtuous cycle that connects the past to the present.

🌐 Where to find it and how to visit

The Mulino del Dosso is located in the municipality of Rasura, in Valgerola, province of Sondrio. It can be reached on foot with a short walk from the town center, along a path that follows the stream.

• 🕜 Open during events, guided tours, and by reservation
• 📅 Spring and summer visits recommended
• 🚤 Suitable for families, schools, groups, and local history enthusiasts

📲 Info and contacts

• For guided tours and extraordinary openings, contact the Municipality of Rasura or the Community of Morbegno