Cementificio Marchino, Industrial building in Prato, Italy
Cementificio Marchino is a cement factory complex situated on the southern slope of Calvana mountain near Prato. The facility features tall industrial smokestacks that were once visible from the plain stretching toward Florence.
The facility was established in 1926 by the Marchino company from Casale Monferrato and operated until 1956 producing cement and lime. Production relied on marl extracted from the Calvana deposits.
The abandoned complex draws artists and writers who fill its rooms with spontaneous paintings and written expressions. These creative marks now cover the walls and tell new stories within the industrial shells.
The site remains closed to the public due to safety concerns regarding structural integrity and geological instability. Visitors cannot enter the grounds to protect themselves from potential hazards.
Architect Leone Poggi designed the complex while Attilio Muggia, an Italian concrete calculation pioneer, contributed crucial technical expertise. This collaboration made the structure an early example of reinforced concrete architecture in the region.
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