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Slide item 1

Former CEL.NA cellulose factory, today owned by the Mazzoni Group

Photo: Municipality of Tresigallo Archive

Slide item 2

Interiors of an abandoned industrial building of the former CEL.NA factory

Photo: Municipality of Tresigallo Archive

Slide item 3

Interiors of an abandoned industrial building of the former CEL.NA factory

Photo: Municipality of Tresigallo Archive

Former CEL.NA factory

Cellulose for Italy

The factory was supposed to satisfy the Fascist regime’s policy of economic self-sufficiency, producing cellulose from local agricultural products. Today the industrial complex in rationalist style bears witness of an autarchic experiment that never got off the ground.

An autarchic factory

In the 1930s, the rural village of Tresigallo was transformed into an industrial town processing agricultural products. A town of autarchy, since only local products were employed. In fact, the CEL.NA factory in Tresigallo was supposed to produce cellulose from the byproduct of hemp, extensively cultivated in the area. Because of the war, the production of cellulose actually never started. After WW II, the factory changed ownership several times. Today, the complex belongs to the Mazzoni Group.

Rationalist industrial architecture

The industrial complex is accessed through a monumental gate. Surrounded by a brick wall, the industrial fabrics are built around an imposing 70 metre heigh chimney. Some of the buildings are remarkably big. A perfect example of rationalist architecture are the two symmetrical buildings containing offices and recreational spaces for the workers: circular windows, linear design, plain composition.