Caselo
Casèlo: Heritage, Education & Sustainability for Dairy and Community Revival
Casèlo revitalizes a historic dairy house in Levico Terme, transforming it into a cultural and educational hub. Blending tradition and innovation, it offers hands-on cheese-making, heritage storytelling, and sustainability-focused training. Engaging locals, students, and professionals, Casèlo fosters intergenerational exchange, supports local farmers, and promotes eco-friendly practices. A vibrant space for learning, taste, and community, it bridges past and future in the Alpine region
Italy
Caselo is located on the street "via Travaia" 38056 Levico Terme
Early initiative
Yes
Yes
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No
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022104: Levico Terme (IT)
Casèlo is a cultural and educational project in Levico Terme, Trentino, aimed at revitalizing a former dairy house into a dynamic community hub. It preserves local dairy traditions while modernizing the space for museum, educational, and social purposes.
The project engages a diverse audience. Elderly residents and former dairy workers serve as “Narrators of Casèlo,” sharing traditions through storytelling and workshops. Families, volunteers, and local associations contribute to events and activities, while schools benefit from interactive programs. Tourism and agricultural students, along with citizents, gain hands-on experience in food heritage and sustainability research. Casèlo also serves as a training hub for cheesemakers and food industry professionals, connecting them with local farmers to promote sustainable dairy production. Tourists and culinary enthusiasts can enjoy immersive cheese-making experiences, tastings, and guided tours.
Casèlo prioritizes social inclusion by offering accessible programs for the elderly, disabled individuals, and disadvantaged youth. Supported by the Municipality of Levico Terme, Trentino museums, local stakeholders and local businesses, it fosters cultural exchange and strengthens regional heritage.
Sustainability is at the core of the project, with eco-friendly restoration, energy-efficient systems, and responsible dairy production. Casèlo also supports local producers and artisans, generating revenue through training, micro-production, and cultural events. Ultimately, it will be a vibrant space for learning, tradition, and sustainable development, linking Levico Terme to the broader Alpine and European communities.
The project engages a diverse audience. Elderly residents and former dairy workers serve as “Narrators of Casèlo,” sharing traditions through storytelling and workshops. Families, volunteers, and local associations contribute to events and activities, while schools benefit from interactive programs. Tourism and agricultural students, along with citizents, gain hands-on experience in food heritage and sustainability research. Casèlo also serves as a training hub for cheesemakers and food industry professionals, connecting them with local farmers to promote sustainable dairy production. Tourists and culinary enthusiasts can enjoy immersive cheese-making experiences, tastings, and guided tours.
Casèlo prioritizes social inclusion by offering accessible programs for the elderly, disabled individuals, and disadvantaged youth. Supported by the Municipality of Levico Terme, Trentino museums, local stakeholders and local businesses, it fosters cultural exchange and strengthens regional heritage.
Sustainability is at the core of the project, with eco-friendly restoration, energy-efficient systems, and responsible dairy production. Casèlo also supports local producers and artisans, generating revenue through training, micro-production, and cultural events. Ultimately, it will be a vibrant space for learning, tradition, and sustainable development, linking Levico Terme to the broader Alpine and European communities.
Community
Heritage
Education
Cooperation
Sustainability
The project prioritizes sustainability through eco-friendly renovations, responsible dairy production, and circular-economy systems. The building will be restored using sustainable materials (e.g. wood and glass) while preserving its historical character. Energy-efficient systems, including carbon-neutral heating and cooling, will be implemented to minimize environmental impact. By integrating waste reduction strategies and renewable energy, Casèlo will serve as a model for sustainable cultural regeneration.
Responsible dairy production is central to the initiative, ensuring ethical sourcing and minimal waste. The project collaborates with local farmers from the Vezzena Plateau to promote traditional yet sustainable cheese-making practices. Workshops and training programs will educate professionals and the public on eco-conscious dairy farming, fostering long-term environmental stewardship. Educational activities will also emphasize biodiversity and sustainable food systems.
Casèlo’s holistic approach makes it an exemplary model of sustainability by combining environmental responsibility with social and economic benefits. It strengthens local economies through micro-production and cultural tourism while promoting inclusivity with barrier-free access and community involvement. By fostering partnerships with universities, museums, and sustainability experts, Casèlo will continually evolve as a hub for best practices in cultural and environmental conservation, inspiring similar initiatives across Europe.
Responsible dairy production is central to the initiative, ensuring ethical sourcing and minimal waste. The project collaborates with local farmers from the Vezzena Plateau to promote traditional yet sustainable cheese-making practices. Workshops and training programs will educate professionals and the public on eco-conscious dairy farming, fostering long-term environmental stewardship. Educational activities will also emphasize biodiversity and sustainable food systems.
Casèlo’s holistic approach makes it an exemplary model of sustainability by combining environmental responsibility with social and economic benefits. It strengthens local economies through micro-production and cultural tourism while promoting inclusivity with barrier-free access and community involvement. By fostering partnerships with universities, museums, and sustainability experts, Casèlo will continually evolve as a hub for best practices in cultural and environmental conservation, inspiring similar initiatives across Europe.
The Casèlo Project is designed to offer a rich, immersive experience by blending historical authenticity with modern aesthetics. The restoration will preserve the building’s original character, including large windows, historic signage, and traditional materials like wood and glass, ensuring harmony between past and present. The carefully chosen color palette—white, cream, and yellow—reflects dairy heritage, enhancing the sensory experience. The building’s transformation into a welcoming, barrier-free space prioritizes accessibility, allowing all visitors to engage with its history and culture.
Casèlo creates an emotional connection by fostering intergenerational exchange and community engagement. Former dairy workers, “The Narrators of Casèlo,” will share stories, enriching visitors' experience with personal insights. Interactive workshops, sensory activities, and live cheese-making demonstrations will immerse guests in the region’s traditions. Visitors will not only observe but participate, creating meaningful memories linked to local heritage. Additionally, cultural events, concerts, and educational programs will turn Casèlo into a vibrant community hub.
This initiative sets an example in heritage-driven placemaking by integrating aesthetics, design, and cultural storytelling. It respects history while innovating for contemporary needs, promoting sustainable tourism and local identity. Through immersive experiences and inclusive design, Casèlo becomes more than a museum—it’s a living space that revitalizes tradition, stimulates creativity, and inspires other regions to adopt similar heritage-led community projects.
Casèlo creates an emotional connection by fostering intergenerational exchange and community engagement. Former dairy workers, “The Narrators of Casèlo,” will share stories, enriching visitors' experience with personal insights. Interactive workshops, sensory activities, and live cheese-making demonstrations will immerse guests in the region’s traditions. Visitors will not only observe but participate, creating meaningful memories linked to local heritage. Additionally, cultural events, concerts, and educational programs will turn Casèlo into a vibrant community hub.
This initiative sets an example in heritage-driven placemaking by integrating aesthetics, design, and cultural storytelling. It respects history while innovating for contemporary needs, promoting sustainable tourism and local identity. Through immersive experiences and inclusive design, Casèlo becomes more than a museum—it’s a living space that revitalizes tradition, stimulates creativity, and inspires other regions to adopt similar heritage-led community projects.
Our project is deeply committed to inclusion, ensuring accessibility, affordability, and active community participation. The building’s restoration follows design-for-all principles, creating a barrier-free environment with ramps, tactile signage, and sensory-friendly spaces for people with disabilities. Activities will be accessible to all age groups, including the elderly and disadvantaged youth, through tailored workshops and guided experiences. By maintaining low-cost or free entry for educational and social programs, Casèlo ensures economic accessibility, making cultural heritage available to everyone.
Governance is structured to be participatory and inclusive, fostering shared ownership among community members. Volunteers, local associations, and former dairy workers play a central role in storytelling, mentorship, and operational support. Decision-making is guided by a diverse team of experts, local stakeholders, and municipal representatives, ensuring a bottom-up approach that values collective input. A dedicated association will manage the daily activities, keeping governance transparent and community-driven while maintaining strong institutional support.
Casèlo serves as a model for new societal frameworks by combining cultural preservation with social inclusion. It transforms a historical site into a space where tradition and innovation meet, fostering intergenerational exchange and social cohesion. The project’s emphasis on accessibility, participation, and affordability makes it an exemplary initiative, demonstrating how cultural heritage can be leveraged to build more inclusive, resilient, and engaged communities, inspiring similar initiatives across Europe.
Governance is structured to be participatory and inclusive, fostering shared ownership among community members. Volunteers, local associations, and former dairy workers play a central role in storytelling, mentorship, and operational support. Decision-making is guided by a diverse team of experts, local stakeholders, and municipal representatives, ensuring a bottom-up approach that values collective input. A dedicated association will manage the daily activities, keeping governance transparent and community-driven while maintaining strong institutional support.
Casèlo serves as a model for new societal frameworks by combining cultural preservation with social inclusion. It transforms a historical site into a space where tradition and innovation meet, fostering intergenerational exchange and social cohesion. The project’s emphasis on accessibility, participation, and affordability makes it an exemplary initiative, demonstrating how cultural heritage can be leveraged to build more inclusive, resilient, and engaged communities, inspiring similar initiatives across Europe.
Casèlo places community involvement at its core, ensuring that citizens and civil society actively shape and benefit from its development. Former dairy workers and elderly residents will act as Narrators of Casèlo, sharing their knowledge through workshops and storytelling, preserving cultural heritage while fostering intergenerational exchange. Local families, volunteers, and associations will contribute to daily activities, creating a strong sense of ownership. Schools, universities, and Erasmus programs will engage in hands-on learning experiences, while local cheesemakers and farmers will gain training opportunities, strengthening regional dairy production. Social inclusion groups, including disadvantaged youth and individuals with disabilities, will participate in tailored activities, making Casèlo a welcoming space for all.
This broad civic engagement ensures Casèlo remains relevant, dynamic, and community-driven. By integrating public input into governance and programming, the project fosters a participatory model that strengthens social ties and local identity. The involvement of civil society enhances long-term sustainability, as shared responsibility encourages continued support and adaptation to community needs. Casèlo’s impact extends beyond cultural preservation—it revitalizes local traditions, strengthens economic opportunities for artisans and producers, and fosters a model of social and cultural regeneration that can be replicated in other regions, demonstrating how citizen-driven heritage projects can create lasting value.
This broad civic engagement ensures Casèlo remains relevant, dynamic, and community-driven. By integrating public input into governance and programming, the project fosters a participatory model that strengthens social ties and local identity. The involvement of civil society enhances long-term sustainability, as shared responsibility encourages continued support and adaptation to community needs. Casèlo’s impact extends beyond cultural preservation—it revitalizes local traditions, strengthens economic opportunities for artisans and producers, and fosters a model of social and cultural regeneration that can be replicated in other regions, demonstrating how citizen-driven heritage projects can create lasting value.
Casèlo engages a wide range of stakeholders at local, regional, national, and European levels to ensure its success and long-term sustainability. At the local level, the Municipality of Levico Terme has been instrumental in acquiring the site and coordinating the initiative, while community members, former dairy workers, volunteers, and associations actively shape its programs. Moreover, the Municipality of Levico included Casèlo in their ‘DUP’ document (i.e. ‘unique document for planning’ used to plan the initiative of local entities) for 2025-2027 (pp.117). Schools, local artisans, and cheesemakers contribute through educational initiatives and hands-on training. Regionally, institutions like the E. Mach Foundation, the Trentino Historical Museum Foundation, and the Museum of Uses and Customs of the Trentino People (METS) provide expertise in cultural heritage, sustainable agriculture, and historical research. The Autonomous Province of Trento and the Local Action Group (GAL) support funding and policy alignment, ensuring integration with regional development strategies. Nationally, the project aligns with Italy’s heritage preservation and rural sustainability goals, receiving guidance from cultural and agricultural institutions. At the European level, Casèlo connects with Erasmus+ programs, fostering student exchanges and research collaborations. Additionally, it engages with the Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino and the Alpine Macroregional Strategy (EUSALP) to promote cross-border knowledge exchange and potential funding opportunities. This multi-level engagement ensures Casèlo is a collaborative, well-supported initiative, serving as a replicable model for cultural and social innovation across Europe
Our initiative integrates multiple disciplines, combining cultural heritage, sustainable agriculture, education, social inclusion, and environmental design. Ethnography and history play a central role in preserving local dairy traditions, with experts from the Trentino Historical Museum Foundation and cultural institutions guiding the development of the museum and storytelling initiatives. Sustainable agriculture and food science inform responsible dairy production, supported by local cheesemakers, the E. Mach Foundation, and agricultural specialists who ensure that traditional Vezzena cheese-making practices align with modern sustainability standards. Environmental architecture and engineering contribute to the building’s eco-friendly restoration, with specialists designing energy-efficient solutions to minimize the project’s carbon footprint.
Collaboration among these disciplines has been essential in shaping a holistic and innovative initiative. Historians and ethnographers worked closely with architects to balance conservation with modern functionality, ensuring that the restoration respects the building’s heritage while improving accessibility. Agricultural and food experts collaborated with educators to develop hands-on training programs that connect visitors to sustainable dairy practices. Social inclusion specialists provided insights into making Casèlo accessible to vulnerable groups, influencing architectural decisions, workshop formats, and engagement strategies. This cross-disciplinary exchange has created a space where heritage, sustainability, and community development reinforce each other.
The added value of this interdisciplinary approach is a well-rounded, inclusive, and future-oriented initiative. By bringing together expertise from diverse fields, Casèlo goes beyond being a museum or a production site—it becomes a dynamic cultural and educational hub. This model will make Casèlo an exemplary initiative in sustainable community development.
Collaboration among these disciplines has been essential in shaping a holistic and innovative initiative. Historians and ethnographers worked closely with architects to balance conservation with modern functionality, ensuring that the restoration respects the building’s heritage while improving accessibility. Agricultural and food experts collaborated with educators to develop hands-on training programs that connect visitors to sustainable dairy practices. Social inclusion specialists provided insights into making Casèlo accessible to vulnerable groups, influencing architectural decisions, workshop formats, and engagement strategies. This cross-disciplinary exchange has created a space where heritage, sustainability, and community development reinforce each other.
The added value of this interdisciplinary approach is a well-rounded, inclusive, and future-oriented initiative. By bringing together expertise from diverse fields, Casèlo goes beyond being a museum or a production site—it becomes a dynamic cultural and educational hub. This model will make Casèlo an exemplary initiative in sustainable community development.
Although other initiatives of milk houses’ requalification exist in Trentino, they have been limited to renovating the establishments without revitalizing the spaces. Casèlo wants not only to safeguard an important space for the community but also to give it a new life by making it a social and economic hub for the town of Levico and for the South Tyrol territory. Unlike mainstream heritage preservation projects that focus solely on static exhibitions, Casèlo integrates interactive experiences, live cheese-making demonstrations, and hands-on workshops that immerse visitors in dairy traditions. Additionally, while most dairy education centers primarily target industry professionals, Casèlo embraces a broader audience through tailored, inclusive activities. The initiative also pioneers the integration of sustainable agriculture and circular economy principles within a cultural framework, promoting responsible dairy production while minimizing environmental impact. Its participatory governance model, where local residents, former dairy workers, and volunteers actively contribute, sets it apart from traditional top-down heritage projects. Furthermore, the collaboration with European networks fosters international knowledge exchange, positioning it as a model for cross-border cultural and rural sustainability initiatives. The inclusion of contemporary educational tools, such as digital storytelling and immersive sensory experiences, further modernizes the way traditions are transmitted. By blending history, sustainability, education, and social inclusion into one cohesive project, Casèlo redefines how cultural heritage can be preserved and revitalized. This innovative, multi-disciplinary approach ensures that the initiative is not only a site of memory but also a forward-thinking space that actively engages diverse audiences, supports local economies, and fosters long-term community resilience.
The project employs a participatory, interdisciplinary, and sustainability-driven approach to ensure its long-term success. From the outset, the initiative has been rooted in community engagement, incorporating the voices of local residents, former dairy workers, artisans, and volunteers in both planning and implementation. This bottom-up methodology ensures that Casèlo remains deeply connected to the needs and aspirations of the people it serves. Ethnographic research and historical documentation have guided the preservation of local dairy traditions, while environmental and architectural expertise inform the eco-friendly restoration of the building. Educational methodologies emphasize experiential learning, with interactive workshops, live demonstrations, and hands-on training in cheese-making and sustainable agriculture. The project also adopts an inclusive design approach, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities and vulnerable groups through barrier-free spaces and tailored activities. Governance is structured around a cooperative model, where local stakeholders, municipal authorities, and academic institutions collaborate to guide decision-making. Casèlo further integrates digital tools, such as storytelling platforms and virtual experiences, to engage broader audiences beyond its physical space. Partnerships with regional, national, and European networks ensure knowledge exchange and resource sharing, enhancing the project’s scalability and impact. The initiative also prioritizes economic sustainability through a circular economy model, where revenue is generated via educational programs, micro-production, and cultural tourism. This holistic methodology—combining heritage preservation, sustainability, education, and social inclusion—creates a replicable framework that demonstrates how rural cultural sites can be revitalized in a way that benefits both local communities and broader societal goals.
Our initiative offers a highly replicable model for revitalizing heritage sites through community-driven approaches, sustainability, and experiential learning. Its methodology—integrating historical preservation, interactive education, and inclusive governance—can be applied to other rural or urban contexts where cultural heritage is at risk. The participatory model, where former workers, local residents, and volunteers contribute to storytelling and operations, can be adapted to any cultural or industrial heritage site to foster intergenerational exchange. The eco-friendly restoration principles, emphasizing the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems, provide a transferable framework for renovating historic buildings while reducing environmental impact. Additionally, Casèlo’s inclusive design approach ensures accessibility for all, setting a benchmark for making cultural spaces welcoming to diverse audiences, including people with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
Beyond its physical space, Casèlo’s educational and economic strategies can be implemented elsewhere. The hands-on workshops, training programs, and small-scale production model could be adapted to various fields, from agriculture and craftsmanship to digital heritage. The governance structure—based on cooperation between local authorities, experts, and community members—demonstrates a flexible model for managing cultural initiatives sustainably. Digital storytelling and virtual engagement strategies also allow for knowledge-sharing across different regions, making Casèlo’s learnings accessible on a global scale. Furthermore, its integration into European networks, such as EUSALP and Erasmus+, shows how regional and cross-border collaboration can enhance cultural and economic sustainability. Ultimately, Casèlo serves as a scalable example of how abandoned heritage sites can be transformed into thriving, community-driven cultural hubs, adaptable to diverse contexts worldwide.
Beyond its physical space, Casèlo’s educational and economic strategies can be implemented elsewhere. The hands-on workshops, training programs, and small-scale production model could be adapted to various fields, from agriculture and craftsmanship to digital heritage. The governance structure—based on cooperation between local authorities, experts, and community members—demonstrates a flexible model for managing cultural initiatives sustainably. Digital storytelling and virtual engagement strategies also allow for knowledge-sharing across different regions, making Casèlo’s learnings accessible on a global scale. Furthermore, its integration into European networks, such as EUSALP and Erasmus+, shows how regional and cross-border collaboration can enhance cultural and economic sustainability. Ultimately, Casèlo serves as a scalable example of how abandoned heritage sites can be transformed into thriving, community-driven cultural hubs, adaptable to diverse contexts worldwide.
The Casèlo Project addresses several global challenges—cultural heritage loss, environmental sustainability, social exclusion, and rural economic decline—by providing innovative, community-driven local solutions. As traditional practices and historic sites face erosion due to modernization and urbanization, Casèlo preserves dairy heritage through intergenerational knowledge transfer and immersive learning experiences. By integrating sustainable agriculture and circular economy principles, the initiative tackles climate change and food system sustainability, promoting responsible dairy production and resource-efficient building restoration. Additionally, Casèlo confronts social exclusion by making cultural heritage accessible to all, including elderly residents, disadvantaged youth, and people with disabilities, fostering an inclusive model of community participation. The project also combats rural economic decline by creating new opportunities for local cheesemakers, farmers, and artisans, strengthening the regional economy through sustainable tourism and micro-production. Furthermore, Casèlo aligns with global efforts for energy efficiency by incorporating eco-friendly infrastructure and renewable energy solutions. Its collaborative governance model, involving local, regional, and European stakeholders, exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can scale up to influence broader policies and frameworks. By demonstrating that cultural preservation, sustainability, and social inclusion can coexist, Casèlo offers a replicable framework for other communities facing similar global challenges, proving that local action can drive meaningful global impact.
We hope Casèlo will enter its next phase: the renovation will ensure eco-friendly upgrades while preserving historical integrity, incorporating energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials; the museum and educational spaces will be designed to blend tradition with modern aesthetics, creating an immersive and interactive visitor experience. Simultaneously, training programs, workshops, and cultural events will be expanded to strengthen Casèlo as a center for learning and community cohesion. The New European Bauhaus values are deeply embedded in the project’s development. Inclusion is ensured through barrier-free design, accessible workshops, and participatory governance, allowing diverse groups to participate. Aesthetics are preserved by restoring traditional architectural elements while introducing contemporary design solutions that enhance functionality and sensory experiences. Sustainability is a priority, with resource-efficient construction, circular economy principles in dairy production, and environmental education programs promoting responsible consumption and rural resilience. Moving forward, the next steps involve starting the restoration (through the achievement of LAG’s budget), refining educational content, and expanding partnerships. The space will be enriched with digital storytelling and hands-on experiences, while collaborations with European institutions will strengthen knowledge exchange. A cooperative management model will be formalized, ensuring long-term community involvement and financial sustainability through micro-production and cultural tourism.Casèlo will continue fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating new technologies for sustainable practices, and ensuring widespread accessibility. By setting a replicable example of how heritage sites can be transformed into inclusive, beautiful, and sustainable community hubs, Casèlo aims to inspire similar initiatives across Europe.
