During one of his tours of Italy, Montesquieu observed that the entire town of Rovereto was busy in silk manufacture.
The silk industry developed in the city of the Trentino region since the 15th century, and included the entire production chain, from the spinning wheel to the dyeing plant to the shop. The activity contributed to Rovereto’s most florid industrial period, as well as influencing its architecture.
In farms, mulberries were cultivated for silkworm breeding. The second step was the work done in silk mills on the banks of the Leno creek and the nearby millraces.
The first mill was built in 1550 by the brothers Ferleger from Nurnberg (Germany). Now converted to houses, the factories are still visible with their imposing structures.
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