THE SINK
ITA
ENG
The first floor of the dwelling is characterised by another architectural element of great value that emphasises the living function of this space.
This is the drying room, composed of a three-tiered niche divided by sandstone floors. Note the convex abutments of the lowest level that support the supporting platform, a solution of great elegance, almost modern in its conception.
Each level then has a drain towards the outside to allow the water to drain away: the intermediate ‘bucket’ also has a small sandstone plain to ensure that the water falling outside is pushed away and does not wet the façade.
However, one question must be asked: where is the water that is indispensable for animals and humans? During the restoration work, no wells were found either inside or outside. The reason is probably that not far from the fortified house in a south-easterly direction runs the Rio Fabiola, which springs from the slopes of Mount Sporno and flows into the Parma at Langhirano. The public road that runs alongside the Malavilla once led to the brook, which was then used to supply drinking water and to water the grazing cows. But that was not all. The road led to a building next to the brook, probably a follo, i.e. a stone building used for felting wool, or a mill. Some remnants remain.