The experience
Arrival in Ivrea, an industrial city of the twentieth century that became a World Heritage Site in 2018 and guided tour through the architecture of Casa Olivetti, to discover the history of Olivetti with a visit to the Technologically Museum, Museum and Educational Laboratory which, in addition to telling the fascinating story of the company’s history, enhances its technological and industrial heritage.
This tour will introduce you to and understand Adriano Olivetti’s innovative thinking.
Entrepreneur and intellectual, Adriano Olivetti, born in Ivrea in 1901, was a leading figure in the Italian industrial twentieth century. A visionary innovator, he promoted significant changes in business management, urban planning and technological research.
In 1947 he established the “Community Movement” in Turin, with the aim of realizing his ideal of community in the Canavese area and promoting new political, social and economic balances, uniting the different socialist and liberal currents. This initiative assumed significant importance in Italy in the 1950s.
An enlightened entrepreneur, he was one of the Italian pioneers in appreciating the strategic value of electronic technologies, leading the company, founded by his father and directed by him for a long time, to an important presence on the main international markets.
Guided by the success of the company and Olivetti’s community vision, Ivrea became an attractive hub for numerous intellectuals, working both within the company and in the Community Movement, engaged in various disciplinary fields to achieve an innovative synthesis between scientific and humanistic culture.
A few km from Ivrea are the Balmetti di Borgofranco d’Ivrea.
The term “Balmetti” derives from the diminutive of the Ligurian term “Balma”, indicating a structure built under a rock that serves as a roof. Present in the Borgofranco area, the Balmetti were designed to face the challenges of marshy terrain, offering storage spaces for wine, cured meats and cheeses, thus acting as “natural refrigerators”.
The Balmetti, inherited from generation to generation, are precious in the local culture and belong to the popular tradition.
For the residents of Borgofranco, visiting the Balmetti is still an opportunity to get together in a family environment, celebrate anniversaries or simply spend time with the family. In fact, these are not simple cellars, but are often equipped with a kitchen and dining room where you can welcome friends and relatives and spend time with them, enjoying local products and sharing pleasant conversations. They form a vital element of Borgofranco’s culture and traditions, promoting social cohesion in the community.
Shortly
Tour
Olivetti and Balmetti d'Ivrea
Your day will begin in Ivrea with a guided tour to discover the history of the Olivetti company, one of the most exciting industrial events of the twentieth century, which has been able to balance profit and solidarity, business and culture, production and beauty. A unique story, present in every product that has contributed to its global success and that has influenced the lives of your grandparents and great-grandparents.
Free lunch in Ivrea.
During the afternoon, the guide will take you to the Balmetti di Borgofranco d’Ivrea, characteristic natural cellars leaning against the morainic rocks of the Mombarone massif. There are over 200 of them and they have been in use since ancient times for the storage of toma, cured meats and wine and were the places where your relatives gathered to be together.
At the end of the visit, Sinoira snack.
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