Craftsmanship quality of panno casentino

Antique fabrics but always current

The skillful art of wool processing in Stia, a small country in the commune of Pratovecchio Stia in full territory Casentino, dates back to ancient times. The first document demonstrating the task is dated 1349 but definitely already the Etruscans knew the rituals of this production.

The old woolen mill in the country, closed due to the crisis around the years ' 80, was one of the most important in Italy in the last century; today is a Museum and in its rooms we rediscover the ancient and traditional wool processing as practised in the country. First as a craft and then in the industry gave birth to the panno casentino, the pride of Made in Italy. In ancient times the wool production was regulated by the most powerful of the guilds of Florence, the Arte della Lana: back in '300 in Florence were sold into the role of Casentino who at first were used mostly by monks for its resistance wear resistance and waterproofing capabilities.

In the 19th century the wool processing techniques are perfected up to arrive at what is the current panno casentino, fabric characterized by the typical external curl obtained by passing on the surface of the machine napping machine. The vibrant color that made it famous, however, is the result of a pure randomness due to an incorrect chemical used during bright red dye that turns into a bright orange-red.