Cantoni Cotton Mill - LIUC University

Cotonificio Cantoni is a cotton mill founded in 1847, on the verge of the Italian (late) industrial revolution, to exploit the energy of the Olona river. Since 1992 the buildings have housed the LIUC University.

For almost 150 years, Cantoni was a major player in the Italian textile industry. The factory underwent continuous expansion and adaptation, gradually integrating other existing buildings (both productive and residential). At the end of the eighties, after the company's crisis, the vast area along the Olona river was gradually abandoned until the local trade union entrusted the architect and designer Aldo Rossi (1931-97) with an ambitious regeneration plan, centred on the creation of the LIUC University.

During the opening of the University, it is possible to walk in the outdoor spaces of the cotton mill, Villa Cantoni-Juker and Villa Fagnani (previously transformed into offices by the Cantonis) and admire the interventions by Aldo Rossi and his collaborators on the main buildings. In addition, it is possible to visit indoor spaces and a small collection of Cantoni's and Rossi's memorabilia during special openings and events.