📍 Where to find it
The Museo del Picapreda is located in Novate Mezzola, in Piazza Europa 51/b, right across from the Town Hall. We are at the entrance of Valchiavenna, in an area that combines lake, mountain, and working-class history.
🛠 A profession that shaped history
The term “picapréda” in Lombard dialect means “stone breaker” or sculptor. In Novate Mezzola, for over two centuries, this was the main activity: entire generations extracted and worked the Sanfedelino granite, a hard and durable stone, used for paving streets and squares in cities such as Milan, Como, Pavia, and Bologna. In the five years preceding the First World War, over 82,000 tons of granite were transported from the local railway station to these cities.
🖼 What to see at the museum
The museum, although small, offers an immersive experience:
- Period photographs that tell the daily life of stone cutters.
- Original tools used for extracting and processing granite.
- Informative panels illustrating the history of Sanfedelino granite and its diffusion.
One section is dedicated to the Romanesque church of San Fedelino, from which the granite takes its name. The original quarry was indeed located near this church, built in the 10th century.
🕰 Opening hours and useful information
- Opening hours: Monday 8:30–12:30; Thursday and Friday 14:00–18:00.
- Entrance: Free.
- Visits by appointment: Possible by contacting the Municipality of Novate Mezzola.
🧭 How to get there
- By car: From Milan, follow the SS36 to Colico, then continue on the SS37 towards Chiavenna.
- By train: Milan–Colico–Chiavenna line, stop at Novate Mezzola.
- On foot: From the center of the village, the museum is easily reachable by following the signs to the Town Hall.
💬 Why visit it
The Museo del Picapreda is a living testament to the working-class culture of Valchiavenna. By visiting it, you come into contact with the history of the men and women who, with effort and skill, left a tangible mark in the cities of northern Italy. It is a place that tells of sweat, ingenuity, and tradition, immersed in a landscape of rare beauty.
For more information, you can visit the official website of the Municipality of Novate Mezzola or contact the Tourism Office of Valchiavenna.
