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The
ice-safes for the use of the close Tuscany or more easily
as preserve (Conserve) in the low plane of Bologna played
a fundamental role in the poor local economy.
Their major function consisted in the conservation of different
nourishments, for the most meat, bundled up sausages, cheese,
butter and other dairy products.
The complex of the ice-safe of Piano del Voglio, built approximately
around the end of the XV century, was in service of the adiacent
palace La Torre (The Tower), commonly known as La Fattoria
(The Farm). This denomination was attributed by the fact of
being the residence of the farmer who managed the local possessions
of the house of Ranuzzi de Bianchi.
Its structure is costituted enterely with hewn stones masterly
walled up with dry technique following a linear planimetry
of circular shape.
An access alley, of trapezoidal development, conducts in the
inside or properly in the hall called Cella della Neve (Cellar
of the Snow). The powerful constructive valence is exaltated
by the inside dimensions: a diameter of more than 4 meters
and an height of amost 7 meters.
Observing the superior hemispheric cupola it’ s possible
to note the presence of a central hole.
From this cavity was introduced, from outside, the snow that,
afterwards, was compressed inside this cellar to increase
the duration and the refrigerating power.
Anyhow, the large complexive volume shouldn’t be related
to the storing capacity. In fact, the alimenti to be consered
were put in a modest lateral hollow called also for this reason
the Dispensa (Store-room).
As it’s easily possible to observe the totality of the
wall structure appears underground and covered by a thick
and high vegetation.
This is not a casual situation, in fact, it was adopted to
increase the conservative efficacy and in particular during
the hot and sultry summer periods.
Moreover, in case of need was used an exceptional technique
that consisted in putting over the superior cap an ordered
layer of fascines to ameliorate the thermic isolation from
the outside.
Inside the Piano territory, considering its extension during
the period of the comital government, can be found many ice-safes,
located in various geographical positions and some of these
were assigned to the conservation of butter only, so for this
called Burraie.
In these days, the ice-safe near the International Relax Camping,
remains the only testimony on the territory of these pretty
buildings.
So, hopefully it will be granted and valorized as a real monument
to human talent in planning and constructing.
Author: MAURIZIO VALENTINI
Present in the issue intitled “La Ghiacciaia Comitale
Ranuzzi de Banchi” created bythe Piano Documentation
Center and patroned by the Group of Studies of the Valli Savena,
Setta, Sambro.
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