La Fucina del Rame

The forge of Castellaro in the past.

Predominantly used for agricultural purposes, the waters of the alpine regions were also essential for the establishment of productive activities, exploiting their abundance of gradients to generate mechanical energy.

Since the Middle Ages, these waters powered mills and fed forges and sawmills; during the nineteenth century, they became crucial for the location of emerging industries, especially those in the textile sector.

In this context, structures such as the Castellaro forge, the Pont Canavese manufacturing facility, powered by the Soana stream, and that of Cuorgnè, which used the water of the Orco river, were built.

Definition of a copper forge Within the Castellaro district of Ronco, we can observe a water-powered forge dating back to 1675, as confirmed by an inscription on stone: "IHS Glaudo Calvi 1675.

" The complex included a large forge for copper processing, a smaller one for iron, and a charcoal kiln for the production of charcoal, essential in manufacturing processes.

Operational until 1950, the forge focused on creating copper objects for everyday use.

It is not excluded, however, that in certain periods, such as during the Napoleonic era, it was used to produce military material, similar to what happened in the forges of Locana, Sparone, Pont and Cuorgnè.

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The most notable architectural element was the large forge, whose structures and materials reflected those typical of the houses and farms in the Soana valley, distinguished by unusual dimensions and heights that indicated their productive function.

Forge at Castellaro di Ronco Operation of the hydraulic hammer with a donkey's head A channel, called the Forge channel, diverted water from the Soana through a temporary barrier, directing it towards the metal wheels that activated the hammers and towards wooden hydraulic funnels for airating the forges.

These funnels used an ingenious and simple principle, similar to modern vacuum systems, consisting of hollow vertical logs to capture air with the falling water.

The copper processing process began with the melting of the metal to which charcoal, lead, and tin were added to improve its quality.

Subsequently, the copper was shaped under the hammers.

The most significant hammer, with bronze pins, worked in collaboration with an operator who, using a lever, regulated the hydraulic action.

Workers engaged in shaping the copper, where, through repeated heating and working, the material assumed a defined shape, with gradual thickness from the center towards the edges.

Two individuals collaborated in this process: one handled the glowing copper and the other controlled the hammer blows.

The rough pieces, called 'cavati', were then refined by the coppersmiths to achieve the final shape of the cauldron, designed to last for decades.