Cascinali

Cascinali refers to a specific type of rural architectural complex found primarily in the Po Valley region of northern Italy, particularly Lombardy and Piedmont. These structures are characterized by their enclosed courtyards, which serve as the central organizing element of the farmstead. Typically, a cascinale would include a farmhouse (casa padronale) where the owner or manager lived, alongside housing for farm laborers (case dei contadini or massari).

Essential agricultural buildings are also integral parts of a cascinale. These include barns (fienili) for hay storage, stables (stalle) for livestock, and storage areas for tools and equipment. Often, a cascinale also featured a threshing floor (aia), a crucial space for processing harvested grain. The layout was designed for efficiency, with all functional areas directly accessible from the courtyard. The architectural style varies but often incorporates materials like brick and stone, with pitched roofs. Many cascinali were self-sufficient communities, supporting agricultural production and the lives of the people who worked the land. While many have been modernized or repurposed, their distinctive courtyards and agricultural heritage remain significant features of the Italian countryside.