Paper-mills Valley

The Paper-mills Valley

Operational until the mid-20th Century, the Paper-mills Valley in Toscolano Maderno boasts a paper productive tradition ever since 1381 and in the 15th - 16th Century supplied Venetian printers. Vast amounts of paper were produced by the many paper mills there, the remains of wich can still be seen throughout this suggestive unspoilt valley.

The Paper Center

The Paper Centre in Maina Inferiore is an interesting productive site recently converted into a museum-exhibition where the history of paper production is traced up to the 20th Century. The visit begins in the 16th century factory, containing reproductions of 15th - 18th century machineries and equipment, and proceeds to the upper floor devoted to the paper production development at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

The exhibition also features archaelogical finds from Valle delle Cartiere, 16th - 18th century watermarks and a collection of books printed by the Paganinis an illustrious family of printers who worked in Toscolano and Venice in the first half of the 16th century.

The Paper Centre organises guided tours, educational workshops on the history of the paper, exhibition and cultural events.