Palazzo Bettoni is a residence dating from the 1700’s situated right in the heart of Casazza, the town whose Roman name was Cavellas. One step over the threshold of the entrance to Palazzo Bettoni takes you on a journey into the history and culture of the Val Cavallina, unravelling tales of a terrain characterised by a thermal spa culture, decorative marble and stone, foxes, wild boar, delicate ecosystems in need of safe-guarding and country traditions to learn about. Would you know what a ‘gerla’ is?
The two lakes, Endine and Gaiano; the river Cherio which crosses the area; ancient mills entrenched on the banks of rivers and water-courses; thermal spa resorts such as that at Trescore Balneario: the Cavellas Museum dedicates an entire section to the theme of Water, the great protagonist in the life of the valley, where one of the main exhibits is a stone mud-bath carved from a single block of Dolomia.
This stone, along with others typical of the region, links the Water room to another dedicated to the Geology of the Val Cavallina, the route taking you from the uses of the local stones, to the construction and realisation of handmade artisanal objects that were once central to rural life in the past, such as mill-stones and drinking troughs.
From a country life that was shared in the past with foxes, wild boar and wolves, to farming, the traditional cultivation of silk worms and bee-keeping, the Cavellas Museum records the links between man and the animals over the centuries, by means of historical documents and informative panels about local fauna.
Next to honey, there is of course space dedicated to chestnuts, grapevines and fruit trees – all making an important appearance in this educational experience emphasising the links between local vegetation and the activities of man. In past decades apples, pears and plums were harvested, then transported in a rucksack made of woven hazelnut branches, which was called ‘la gerla’ and is now a symbol of rural culture.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST:
– environmental history exhibition on the material culture of the Val Cavallina
– gallery with temporary display of artefacts during the exhibitions organised each year
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
VISITING:
Admission is free during weekly openings of the museum from March to December inclusive: Saturday from 3.00pm to 6.00pm; Sunday from 10.00am to 12.30pm and from 3.00pm to 6.00pm.
Visits for groups of adults or school children on days other than those scheduled can also be booked advance.
Duration of the visit: around 60 minutes. It is also possible to request educational workshops on a relevant subject of your choice.
Parking: there is parking in the area, a short distance away.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
