In the heart of Mel lies the ancient icehouse, a structure renowned for both its functional significance and its distinctive design.
Until the early 20th century, ice was stored inside the underground cistern, which has the shape of an ellipsoid. The icehouse is located within a large green park completely enclosed by a stone wall.
In the past, the icehouse and the park constituted the northernmost extension of the larger property of Villa Fulcis, the residence of the noble family that overlooks the central square of Mel; the construction of the structure is estimated to be in the second half of the 18th century.
Characteristics and Usage
The icehouse consists of a cistern inserted into the ground for half of its height and completely covered by a layer of earth at the top. The corridor through which the ice storage chamber is reached is also completely covered with earth; the overall appearance is of a small hill blending into the natural profile of the terrain, surrounded and shaded by medium-sized trees, with grass and shrubs covering much of its surface.
The ice preserved during the warm seasons was used for meat preservation. The ice was taken from the secondary branches of the Piave River, and the Ardo and Puner Torrents, then transported by carts to Mel. The workers involved in loading the icehouse would cut the frozen surface of the watercourses into rectangular blocks, which were then loaded onto the carts.
The bottom of the storage cistern was prepared by packing it with snow, then, in alternating layers separated by a straw diaphragm, the ice blocks were placed.
The park is always accessible, but the icehouse is only visitable by appointment.
For information and reservations, contact IAT Borgo Valbelluna - turismo.mel@borgovalbelluna.bl.it
