Italian industrial areas have always been an important driver of the country’s economy.
We at FibreConnect believe strongly in the ability of an area to generate-thanks to its productive fabric-not only well-being, but also culture. Just think of all the sports and cultural activities funded by small and medium-sized businesses in the area.
That is why we work every day alongside Internet Service Providers to bring all the way to corporate buildings an indispensable tool for growth and continued prosperity for all: fiber optics.
So we thought we would turn the spotlight, not only on technology, but also on this less-told part of the Belpaese, taking the opportunity to brush up on some geography as well.
Come along with us on this journey to discover the locations of Italy’s Industrial and Artisan Areas.
Tower of Mosto
The honor and (burden) of inaugurating this new column falls to the municipality of Torre di Mosto, a small town that has established itself as a genuine industrial gem on the Italian scene. We will explore its fascinating history, culinary traditions, and businesses that contribute to its economic growth.
A bit of history
Located about fifty kilometers north of Venice, Torre di Mosto is a municipality with a past rich in tradition and culture. Its strategic location along the Venetian lagoon has fostered its commercial development over the centuries.
In ancient times, the territory of Torre di Mosto was almost entirely marshy, with a vast network of marshes distributed between Venice and Caorle, crossed by the Via Annia, a consular road built in 131 B.C. to connect Rome to Aquileia.
Around the 5th century, during the barbarian invasions, a defensive tower was built along the Livenza River, after which the town was named. The descent of the Lombards drove the inhabitants of Oderzo to seek refuge in the lagoons where they founded Heraclia (present-day Cittanova di Eraclea), one of the main centers of the Duchy of Venice.
As time passed, Heraclia began to lose its centrality due to the frequent flooding of the Piave and Livenza rivers and the rise of Venice. During this period, Torre di Mosto began to form as a small agricultural village near the Roman tower, where an ancient chapel dedicated to St. Martin of Tours already existed.
In 1411, during the Hungarian invasion, the village and tower were destroyed, but were later rebuilt on the initiative of the noble Da Mosto family, after whom the village was named.
It was only with the arrival of the Austrians in 1815, however, that a project to settle the territory was initiated, with the securing of the embankments and the development of river navigation. From the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy onward, massive reclamation works were carried out, which saw completion after World War I.
These works have returned more than three thousand hectares of land to agriculture, creating job opportunities and prosperity. However, after World War II, agricultural mechanization led to a reduction in labor and an exodus of inhabitants.
Since the 1970s, with the development of industry and services, the population began to grow again, transforming Torre di Mosto into a dynamic and growing area.
The land: a reclamation to redesign the landscape
The reclamation landscape is somewhat of a symbol of the great Italian landscapes of the twentieth century, the result of extensive work that began in 1880 and developed mainly in the early twentieth century, ending in the middle of the last century. This massive intervention has radically transformed the environmental and landscape aspect of more than 5 million hectares of the national territory, causing about 600,000 hectares of land to “emerge” from swamps, concentrated mainly in the Veneto and Emilia Romagna regions.
During the summer, this region, which includes the more famous Jesolo, is naturally crowded with visitors, as it has been a trendy summer destination since the 1960s, as well as the closest access point to the sea for Mitteleuropa.
Torre di Mosto today is one of 22 municipalities in the Eastern Venice District, where significant work is being done to deseasonalize tourism, with cultural, sports and food and wine proposals spread throughout the year.
For those traveling with a bicycle on the roof of their car or in their RV, this part of Veneto is ideal. In fact, one of the peculiarities of this place is the always flat terrain, which has allowed the creation of a well-structured system of cycle routes.
Local cuisine: from the sea to the rivers, in the name of flavor
The cuisine of Torre di Mosto reflects the gastronomic traditions of the Veneto region, characterized by genuine dishes and authentic flavors. Being located in the Venetian lagoon region, the municipality’s cuisine is often inspired by the products of the sea, with a focus, however, on those from the waterways that run through it.
How central the Livenza River is to the area’s culinary tradition, for example, is also evidenced by events such as “Rivers of Taste,” the food and wine festival dedicated to the Livenza River Eel. and typical products of the Livenza area organized every year in Torre di Mosto, with the collaboration of Slow Food Eastern Veneto.
River eel is known for its delicate and flavorful meat, and is an important element in the culinary tradition of the Veneto region. It is used in various culinary preparations, including fried with polenta, in gravy, or stewed with various accompanying additions.
Industrial development
In recent decades, Torre di Mosto has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to change, moving from an economy based on agriculture to the development of a major industrial area. The favorable geographic location, proximity to major urban centers such as Venice and Treviso, and accessibility to major roads have made the municipality an ideal choice for many businesses.
Companies in Torre di Mosto
Numerous companies have chosen Torre di Mosto as the location for their production activities. These include, for example, Relax, a leading manufacturer of functional and innovative shower enclosures. Founded in 2003 by Dimitri Camolese and Adelino Conte, it has established itself in the market thanks to its original technological solutions patented by the R&D department.
Nearby Venice, with its beauty and art, is a source of inspiration for Relax designers. Thanks to its constant focus on technological innovation and the quality of its products, the Torre di Mosto-based company has gained a prominent position in both domestic and international markets.
Another important entity present in Torre di Mosto is Lucart, whose personal hygiene paper products we find every day in supermarkets under the brands Tenderly, Tutto or Grazie Natural.
Founded in 1953 as Cartiera Lucchese dei Fratelli Pasquini paper mill in Villa Basilica, Lucca, the company became a significant paper production hub in Tuscany after World War II.
The unstoppable growth of the business led in 1989 to the creation of the brand, Lucart, the first company in the world to replace plastic packaging with one made of fully biodegradable renewable material.
The company now has numerous factories, both in Italy and abroad. In the one in Torre di Mosto is concentrated the production of tablecloths and napkins, decorated, colored and personalized in tissue, airlaid and Yankee paper.
Rounding out our quick, and by no means exhaustive, overview of the businesses that reside within this small but rich industrial area, we also find Alemar, a company that specializes in supplying fresh, high-quality seafood products to both large retailers and fine dining.
The company has an extensive exclusive network of fishing vessels located in the upper Adriatic Sea. Fish caught daily is harvested directly from fishing boats and delivered quickly to customers, ensuring maximum freshness.
Alemar’s mission is to promote and spread the culture of good food, enhancing the values of research and constant commitment of both restaurateurs and distributors in order to ensure the highest quality standards for the end consumer.
This variety of economic activities contributes to a strong and diversified industrial fabric, with an important impact on employment and local development.
Torre di Mosto businesses: from the present to the future with ultra-broadband
Torre di Mosto, a town with a past rich in history and charm, has been able to adapt to economic changes and develop its own important Industrial and Handicraft Area. Thanks to the presence of numerous businesses and a dynamic community, the municipality continues to grow and contribute significantly to the country’s economy. The combination of tradition, innovation and local resources makes Torre di Mosto a successful example of the Italian production system.
In a few months, Torre di Mosto ‘s innovation journey will reach another important milestone: it will be one of Italy’s Industrial and Artisan Areas finally connected to the global network thanks to the all-fiber infrastructure built by FibreConnect, in collaboration with ISP partner EmiRonet.
Thanks to this new opportunity, the entrepreneurial excellence it encompasses will be able to reach its full productive potential, without the constraints of a slow and unreliable connection.
Another piece of Italy connected to the future.