Pradalunga ‘s coti are tapered and oddly shaped stones. Since ancient times, they were used to sharpen any cutting tool: in fact, they are made of a mix of hard mineral derived from the remains of siliceous skeleton organisms and by a “soft” and cementing mineral, which makes it possible to sharpen the blades without damaging them nor wasting them too much.
The art of coti stones mining and manufactue in Pradalunga has been perpetuating for centuries. In I century A.D., Pliny the Elder mentioned the existence of “aquaries cotes” manufacture in Italy. Their production in Pradalunga and Seriana Valley is also docmented by Bergamo Charters, dating back to 1248: coti stones were already exported to Northern Europe and beyond the sea.
In order to preserve the memory of our traditions, the company Ligato Fratelli F. & M. s.n.c. carries on the ancient family production of GAVAZZI / PICCININI, keeping the original factory, items and historical artefacts of the old manufacture.
The museum, located inside the original factory spaces, shows the different processing stages as well as the specific tools of the coti industry, where hundreds of people used to work.