This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

The Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale, in Villa d’Almé, in the province of Bergamo, is a historic leader in the production of high-quality yarns. The company has, in fact, decided to revive the cultivation of flax (Linum usitatissimum ‘Eden’) in Italy, promoting awareness of what used to be an important Italian tradition until the outbreak of the Second World War.
Two huge agricultural fields, 5 acres in size, were thus chosen near the monastery of Astino, dating back to 1100 and restored in 2015 – now an active centre of Bergamo’s cultural life. Next to them, a 2.2-acre botanical garden dedicated to vegetables was created as well, in a sort of biodiversity valley,

Fields are sown in April and reach full bloom in the second half of June.
2.200 pounds of flax fibre is usually obtained, spun in Villa d’Almé both with historical machines, and state-of-the-art tools and technologies.

Visitors can access the premises for free, and a tour can end with a lunch or dinner in the restaurant at the former convent.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)