The province between historic factories, textile museums and social towns from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
Industry is a key element of Vicenza’s history and shaped the north of the province between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This rich heritage is still visible today through valuable industrial archaeology monuments and museums dedicated to this tradition.
The main examples are concentrated between Malo, Valdagno and Schio in the Pedemontana area. In Schio, historically known as the Manchester of Italy, visitors can discover the Lanificio Rossi area, Fabbrica Saccardo, the Jacquard Garden and the famous Fabbrica Alta, an imposing factory of major monumental, social and urban value and an emblem of Veneto industrial heritage.
Discovering the industrial heritage
In Malo stands Filanda Corielli, now an important site of the Silk and Brick Art Museum. Moving to Valdagno, visitors can explore the characteristic social city, a forward-looking urban complex built between 1927 and 1937 at the request of textile entrepreneur Gaetano Marzotto. Created as a company town for workers of the famous wool mill, it is considered one of Italy’s most important examples of rationalist architecture and corporate welfare. It also hosts MUMAT, the museum dedicated to textile machinery.
The itinerary through the productive past also includes Fondazione Bisazza in Montecchio Maggiore. This venue welcomes visitors into a large contemporary exhibition space, originally used as a factory for the production of glass mosaics.
