View source for Crespi d'Adda

{{Infobox frazione
| name                  = Crespi d'Adda
| native_name           =
| image_skyline         = Vista di Crespi d'Adda.JPG
| image_caption         = The town's company-built school, church and employee houses
| coordinates           = {{coord|45|35|48|N|9|32|10|E|region:IT-25_type:city_source:dewiki|display=inline,title}}
| region                = {{flag|Lombardy}}
| province              = [[Province of Bergamo|Bergamo]] (BG)
| comune                = [[Capriate San Gervasio]]
| elevation_footnotes   = <ref name=itind/>
| elevation_m           = 465
| area_footnotes        =
| area_total_km2        =
| population_footnotes  = <ref name=itind>{{in lang|it}} [http://italia.indettaglio.it/ita/campania/salerno_sanmaurocilento_casalsottano.html Casalsottano on italia.indettaglio.it]</ref>
| population_total      = 450
| population_as_of      = 2017
| pop_density_footnotes =
| gentilic              = Crespesi
| saint                 = [[Saint Maurus]]
| day                   = 
| postal_code           = 84070
| area_code             = (+39) 0974
| website               = {{official website|http://www.crespidaddaunesco.org}}
| footnotes             = 
  {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
  |child = yes
  |ID = 730
  |Year = 1995 
  |Criteria = Cultural: iv, v
  }}
}}

'''Crespi d'Adda''' is a village in northern [[Italy]] and hamlet (''[[frazione]]'') of [[Capriate San Gervasio]], a municipality in the [[province of Bergamo]], [[Lombardy]]. It is a historic settlement and an outstanding example of the 19th and early 20th-century [[model village|"company towns"]] built in Europe and North America by enlightened industrialists to meet the workers' needs. The site is still intact and is partly used for industrial purposes, although changing economic and social conditions now threaten its survival.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/archive/periodicreporting/EUR/cycle01/section2/730-summary.pdf UNESCO Reference 730]</ref> Since 1995 it has been on [[UNESCO]]'s list of [[World Heritage Sites]].

==History==
===19th century===
[[File:Crespi d’Adda, Castello (Ian Spackman 2007-007-30).jpg|thumb|left|Crespi's Castle]]
In 1869 [[Cristoforo Benigno Crespi]], a textile manufacturer from [[Busto Arsizio]] [[Province of varese|(Varese)]], bought the {{Convert|1|km|mi|1|adj=on}} valley between the rivers [[Brembo River|Brembo]] and [[Adda River, Italy|Adda]], to the south of [[Capriate San Gervasio|Capriate]], with the intention of installing a [[cotton mill]] on the banks of the Adda.<ref name=autogenerated3>[http://db.formez.it/ArchivioEsperienze.nsf/1906f55ba24156a3c1256da9003022a4/63ad17e92802d991c1256f42003f32e4/$FILE/Report_Unesco730.pdf Info at db.formez.it] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530062009/http://db.formez.it/ArchivioEsperienze.nsf/1906f55ba24156a3c1256da9003022a4/63ad17e92802d991c1256f42003f32e4/%24FILE/Report_Unesco730.pdf |date=2008-05-30 }}</ref>

Cristoforo Crespi introduced the most modern spinning, weaving and finishing processes in his [[Cotton Mill]].<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://www.villaggiocrespi.it/ENG/Value.htm#PAESAGGIO Value And History Of The Village Of Crespi D'Adda<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105204609/http://www.villaggiocrespi.it/ENG/Value.htm |date=2008-11-05 }}</ref> The hydroelectric power plant in [[Trezzo sull'Adda|Trezzo]], on the Adda river just a few kilometers upwards, was built up around 1906 for the manufacturer Cristoforo Benigno Crespi.<ref>[http://www.centrovolta.it/laviadellenergia/inglese/territorio/trezzo.htm www.laviadellenergia.it - Territory - Territorial Policies - Taccani Hydroelectric Power Station, Trezzo d'Adda, Milano<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005120907/http://www.centrovolta.it/laviadellenergia/inglese/territorio/trezzo.htm |date=2008-10-05 }}</ref> The settlement which was built in 1878 next to the cotton-mill was a village, a residential area provided with social services such as a clinic, a [[school|school building]], a [[theatre]], a [[cemetery]], a wash-house and a [[Church (building)|church]].<ref>{{in lang|it}} [http://www.crespidadda.it Crespi d'Adda website]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/crespidadda.html |title=Crespi d'Adda - World Heritage Site - Pictures, info and travel reports<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-05-30 |archive-date=2008-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511233508/http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/crespidadda.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Both the town and the factory were illuminated thanks to electric light.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.crespidadda.it  Crespi d'Adda]</ref> The village of Crespi d'Adda was the first village in [[Italy]] to have modern public lighting.<ref>[http://www.villaggiocrespi.it/ENG.htm What Is Crespi D'Adda?<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004316/http://www.villaggiocrespi.it/ENG.htm |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> The workers houses, of [[England|English]] inspiration, are lined up in order along parallel roads to the east of the [[factory]].<ref name=autogenerated2 /> A tree-lined avenue separates the production zone from the houses, overlooking a chequer-board road plan.<ref>{{in lang|it}} [http://www.apt.bergamo.it/volantiniinrete/bg%20e%20prov%20Inglese/the%20signs%20of%20man.pdf Info on apt.bergamo.it] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530062009/http://www.apt.bergamo.it/volantiniinrete/bg%20e%20prov%20Inglese/the%20signs%20of%20man.pdf |date=2008-05-30 }}</ref> The whole [[architecture]] and town planning (except the first spinning department, created by [[engineer]] Angelo Colla), was submitted to the [[architect]] Ernesto Pirovano. For about fifty years Pirovano, helped by the [[engineer]] Pietro Brunati, ran the construction of the village.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> model shops toy-like constructions / miniatures  had been made to educate and exemplify new trends in social thinking and scientific advances to the inhabitants in the form of suitcases that contained them.

In 1889 the son of Cristoforo, [[Silvio Benigno Crespi]], started work in the [[factory]] as a director, after spending time in [[Oldham|Oldham, England]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /> He turned away from the large multiple-occupancy blocks in favour of the single-family house, with its own garden, which he saw as conducive to [[harmony]] and a defence against industrial strife. He put this policy into practice in 1892 and the years that followed, with success, since there was no [[strike action|strike]] or other forms of social disorder for the fifty years of Crespi management.<ref name=autogenerated3 />

===20th century===
The [[Great Depression]] of 1929 and the harsh [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|fascist]] fiscal policy resulted in the Crespi family being obliged to sell the entire town to STI, ''the Italian textile enterprise'', which transferred it to the ''Rossarl e Varzi company'' in 1970. It then passed to the ''Legler company'', which sold off most of the houses. It was last in the hands of the ''Polli industrial group'', which employed some 600 people, as compared with the 3200 employed during the years of maximum activity.<ref name=autogenerated3/>

Today the village is inhabited by a community largely descended from the original workers. The factory stopped production only in 2004, its field of activity throughout its working life having been [[Cotton Mill|cotton textile production]].

In October 2013, it was announced that [[Antonio Percassi]] was purchasing Crespi d'Adda in order to convert it into the headquarters for the Percassi Business group as well as the headquarters for the new Antonio Percassi Family Foundation.<ref>[http://www.percassi.it/en/index/universo/il-fondatore.html Info at percassi.it] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221035709/http://www.percassi.it/en/index/universo/il-fondatore.html |date=2013-12-21 }}</ref>

==Geography==
The village is located by the eastern shore of the river [[Adda (river)|Adda]], next to the provincial borders of [[Province of Bergamo|Bergamo]] with [[Metropolitan City of Milan|Milan]], south of [[Capriate San Gervasio]]. Other nearest settlements are [[Trezzo sull'Adda]], [[Brembate]], [[Vaprio d'Adda]] and [[Canonica d'Adda]].<ref>{{OSM|w|409048659|Crespi d'Adda}}</ref> It is {{Convert|19|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Bergamo]] and [[Orio al Serio International Airport|its airport]], {{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Monza]] and {{Convert|47|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Milan]]. Nearest motorway exit, "Capriate", is {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} north and is part of the [[Autostrada A4 (Italy)|A4 motorway]] [[Turin]]-[[Trieste]].

== Monuments and Places of Interest ==

=== Religious Architecture ===
[[File:Crespi d'Adda church.jpg|thumb|Parish church]]
The parish church was built starting from 1891 under the direction of the engineer Pietro Brunati and it was opened in November 1893 with the inauguration by the bishop [[Gaetano Camillo Guindani]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Cortesi|first=Luigi|title=Crespi d'Adda, villaggio ideale del lavoro|publisher=Grafica Monti s.n.c- Bergamo|pages=106–109}}</ref> The church is the reconstruction of the Marian shrine in [[Busto Arsizio]]. The church was dedicated to S.Maria dell'Aiuto and dates back to 1517. The designer is unknown, but some important architects and sculptors, such as Lonati and Tommaso Rodari, worked on it.<ref name=":0" /> This church represents the ideal link between the hometown of the Crespi family, [[Busto Arsizio]], and the village, which represented the best expression of the textile industrial sector.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Chiesa|url=https://www.crespidadda.it/chiesa/|access-date=2020-12-08|website=VILLAGGIO CRESPI D'ADDA|language=it-IT}}</ref>

The parish church in Crespi d'Adda has a square plan with a base made up with [[Adda (river)|Adda]] strain and it ends with a large octagonal [[dome]] externally surrounded by a white marble loggia.<ref name=":1" /> Inside there are a lot of [[fresco]]s and canvas directly commissioned by [[Cristoforo Crespi]].<ref name=":0" />

Still today, the church is used by the local population for ordinary religious rites.

=== The cemetery ===
The works for the construction of the cemetery started in 1905 commissioned by [[Cristoforo Crespi]] and it was ready in November 1908.<ref name=":0" /> The cemetery is a monumental construction where the [[mausoleum]], dedicated to the Crespi family, is the main core. In the [[mausoleum]] there are the graves of the members of the family.<ref name=":0" />

=== The castle ===
[[File:2012-04-25 Crespi d'Adda villa-castello.jpg|thumb|The castle]]
The castle in Crespi was built between 1893 and 1894. The castle was the manor house of the family and its style is typical of the Medieval architecture of the XII century. The architect was Ernesto Pirovano.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Cortesi|first=Luigi|title=Crespi d'Adda, villaggio ideale del lavoro|publisher=Grafica Monti s.n.c.- Bergamo|pages=88–94}}</ref>

The manor house was the summer residence of the family.<ref name=":3" />

At the end of 1960, the municipality of [[Capriate San Gervasio]] got the property of the building. From 1968 to 1981 it became the secondary school of the village and afterwards a professional institute. In 1977 the building was sold to some private buyers. All these different usages implied some important changes in the architectural structure and in the decorative styles.<ref name=":3" />

Today, the building has been declared real estate of historical interest.<ref name=":3" />

=== The factory and the houses ===
The factory started its activity in July 1878 and its production was totally dedicated to the cotton processing and the production of textiles.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Cortesi|first=Luigi|title=Crespi d'Adda, villaggio ideale del lavoro.|publisher=Grafica Monti s.n.c.- Bergamo|pages=58–71}}</ref> With [[Silvio Crespi]] there was an enlargement of the factory, thanks to the project made by Pietro Brunati, and there was a new inauguration in 1894 at the presence of [[Margherita of Savoy|Queen Margherita]]. The new productive lines began to work systematically in 1896. This factory was the centre of the village and all the inhabitants worked there. The factory was the working core of the village and the life of the workers depended on the factory production. Every person in the village had his own house and they were all the same, except for the managers, the doctor and the priest who had more luxurious ones. Initially, in the project of [[Cristoforo Crespi]], there was no idea of a hierarchy, but the situation developed because the social environment of the time changed and showed different levels of wealth.<ref name=":2" />  Throughout its history, the factory underwent several structural changes in order to adjust to changes in industrial production and manufacturing of textile.<ref name=":2" />

In 1973 Legler, a textile company, bought the factory and started to work until 2003, when the factory closed because of bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legler, dopo 125 anni chiude Crespi|url=https://www.ecodibergamo.it/stories/Economia/legler-dopo-125-anninbspchiude-crespi_15499_11/|access-date=2020-12-08|website=www.ecodibergamo.it|language=it}}</ref>

Today the factory is an open air museum of industrial archeology.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Il valore e la storia {{!}} Villaggio Crespi d'Adda|url=http://www.villaggiocrespi.it/crespidadda/il-valore-la-storia-e-la-architettura-di-crespi-d-adda/|access-date=2020-12-08|website=www.villaggiocrespi.it|archive-date=2020-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225224855/http://villaggiocrespi.it/crespidadda/il-valore-la-storia-e-la-architettura-di-crespi-d-adda/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:2012-04-25 Crespi d'Adda abitazioni monofamiliari.jpg|thumb|Workers' houses]]

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|title=
|width=230 | height=160 |align=center
|footer=
|File:Crespi cimitero.jpg|Cemetery of Crespi d'Adda
|File:Crespi d’Adda (Ian Spackman 2007-007-32).jpg|View of the cotton mill
}}
{{Gallery
|title=
|width=230 | height=160 |align=center
|footer=
|File:Crespi d’Adda, a worker’s house (Ian Spackman 2007-007-37).jpg|A factory worker’s house with garden.
|File:2012-04-25 Crespi d'Adda scuola.jpg|Village school
}}

==See also==
*[[Model village]]
*[[Derwent Valley Mills]], a similar World Heritage Site in Derbyshire, England whose first cotton mill was built in 1771.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Crespi d'Adda}}
*{{in lang|it}} [http://www.crespidadda.it/ Crespi d'Adda website]
*[http://www.villaggiocrespi.it/en/ Villaggio Crespi] (Crespi Workers' Village)
*[http://crespidaddaunesco.org/?lang=en Crespi d'Adda UNESCO - The official website]
*[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/826/gallery/ Official Unesco Photo gallery]

{{Landmarks of Lombardy}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Italy}}
{{Developments}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Frazioni of the Province of Bergamo]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Italy]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1878]]
[[Category:Company towns]]
[[Category:Cotton mills]]
[[Category:Crespi family]]