Fornace Penna
Fornace Penna: mirror of a productive past and a decadent present.
29 March 2022 - Categorie: The places of the heart, Cultural tourism, Rural tourism Tags:
Built between 1909 and 1912 by the engineer Ignazio Emmolo, this splendid monument of the industrial age was born in a fraction of Scicli, in the province of Ragusa, called Contrada Pisciotto, which is why the locals affectionately call it "O Pisciuottu" . With the support of Baron Guglielmo Penna, it was decided to build the factory, then 86 meters long, close to the sea. Several reasons led to this decision:
Here bricks were produced and exported to many European countries. The furnace was open from 6 in the morning until dusk and we worked from May to September when the weather was more favorable. With the first rains, these were closed. Hundreds of young people between 16 and 18 found employment there or at least until the night of January 26, 1924. There were many hypotheses that attributed the blame to the socialists, others to the fascists, the fact is that "O Pisciuottu" was destroyed by a fire malicious and in a few hours only the ruins remained today one of the few testimonies of that productive past.
- the seabed was deep enough to allow ships to dock;
- the presence of the railway;
- the raw material would have been obtained from a clay quarry just 200 m away;
- the availability of abundant water.
Here bricks were produced and exported to many European countries. The furnace was open from 6 in the morning until dusk and we worked from May to September when the weather was more favorable. With the first rains, these were closed. Hundreds of young people between 16 and 18 found employment there or at least until the night of January 26, 1924. There were many hypotheses that attributed the blame to the socialists, others to the fascists, the fact is that "O Pisciuottu" was destroyed by a fire malicious and in a few hours only the ruins remained today one of the few testimonies of that productive past.
Fornace Penna
Fornace Penna
Fornace Penna
Fornace Penna
Fornace Penna
The Fornace Penna is now inexorably in ruins and the poor conditions of conservation make it urgent for renovation and maintenance works that would avoid a more than ruinous deterioration that would make the community lose one of the most beautiful jewels in Italy.
Vittorio Sgarbi himself called it "a secular basilica by the sea".
But the charm of its ruins did not only attract Sgarbi: the plant was used as a film set for the episode "La Forma dell'Acqua" of the TV series "Il Commissario Montalbano" and identified as La Mannara, this is how the place where it stands is called. the furnace. It could be the perfect venue for outdoor cultural events, plays, jazz and blues concerts and more if only it were restored and donated to the community.
Vittorio Sgarbi himself called it "a secular basilica by the sea".
But the charm of its ruins did not only attract Sgarbi: the plant was used as a film set for the episode "La Forma dell'Acqua" of the TV series "Il Commissario Montalbano" and identified as La Mannara, this is how the place where it stands is called. the furnace. It could be the perfect venue for outdoor cultural events, plays, jazz and blues concerts and more if only it were restored and donated to the community.
Recommended villas
Sole di Pietra: Splendid villa in the Val di Noto which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002. Equipped with a wonderful private swimming pool, a garden of about 10,000 square meters and a wellness area with sauna, turkish bath, Scottish shower and whirlpool tub.
Pietra di Luna: Elegant residence built in 1825 and tastefully restored by its owners, it will give you the joy and quiet of true rural Sicily while from its splendid infinity peak you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the city of Scicli, a World Heritage Site 'UNESCO since 2002.
La Forma dell'Acqua: Fantastic residence located 100 meters from the fine golden sand beach of Donnalucata and surrounded by a garden of over 3,500 square meters on the coast of south-eastern Sicily. With its various shaded areas with equipped gazebos, its children's play area and its swimming pool with hydrojets, it is the ideal home for a holiday full of fun and relaxation for all ages.
La Memoria dell'Acqua: Breathtaking villa a few kilometers from the baroque city of Scicli, in the splendid south-eastern Sicily. The dwelling will give you spoiled for choice on how to spend your holidays: you can enjoy its swimming pool right in front of the living area and its large windows or you can take advantage of the wonderful golden sandy beach, 8 km long and still hidden from tourism. of mass, a few tens of meters. Or you can visit the beautiful Baroque cities such as Noto or Modica.
Villa Mia: A few steps from the golden sandy beach of San Lorenzo, in the formidable south-eastern Sicily, stands this wonderful villa surrounded by about 2000 square meters of garden full of Mediterranean plants. Ideal for a relaxing holiday, from the largest to the smallest, with its private swimming pool surrounded by the solarium with umbrellas and sun loungers. A quiet glimpse a few kilometers from the Vendicari Nature Reserve and the baroque towns of the Val di Noto.
Viruta: A few kilometers from the wonderful beach of Donnalucata, facing the south-eastern coast of the island, stands this splendid villa surrounded by a garden overlooking the Port of Ragusa. Whether you decide to let yourself be lulled by the sea breeze in its spacious and shady patio with a reed roof or to dive into its beautiful 12-meter swimming pool, Viruta will give you a holiday of relaxation and tranquility.
Pietra di Luna: Elegant residence built in 1825 and tastefully restored by its owners, it will give you the joy and quiet of true rural Sicily while from its splendid infinity peak you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the city of Scicli, a World Heritage Site 'UNESCO since 2002.
La Forma dell'Acqua: Fantastic residence located 100 meters from the fine golden sand beach of Donnalucata and surrounded by a garden of over 3,500 square meters on the coast of south-eastern Sicily. With its various shaded areas with equipped gazebos, its children's play area and its swimming pool with hydrojets, it is the ideal home for a holiday full of fun and relaxation for all ages.
La Memoria dell'Acqua: Breathtaking villa a few kilometers from the baroque city of Scicli, in the splendid south-eastern Sicily. The dwelling will give you spoiled for choice on how to spend your holidays: you can enjoy its swimming pool right in front of the living area and its large windows or you can take advantage of the wonderful golden sandy beach, 8 km long and still hidden from tourism. of mass, a few tens of meters. Or you can visit the beautiful Baroque cities such as Noto or Modica.
Villa Mia: A few steps from the golden sandy beach of San Lorenzo, in the formidable south-eastern Sicily, stands this wonderful villa surrounded by about 2000 square meters of garden full of Mediterranean plants. Ideal for a relaxing holiday, from the largest to the smallest, with its private swimming pool surrounded by the solarium with umbrellas and sun loungers. A quiet glimpse a few kilometers from the Vendicari Nature Reserve and the baroque towns of the Val di Noto.
Viruta: A few kilometers from the wonderful beach of Donnalucata, facing the south-eastern coast of the island, stands this splendid villa surrounded by a garden overlooking the Port of Ragusa. Whether you decide to let yourself be lulled by the sea breeze in its spacious and shady patio with a reed roof or to dive into its beautiful 12-meter swimming pool, Viruta will give you a holiday of relaxation and tranquility.