The Paper Mill

It was the most important industry in Fermignano. There is evidence of this activity, vital for the small town, as early as 1411, when the Montefeltro family gave the management of the factory to three paper makers from Fabriano, a city where paper production was already in full development. In 1507, Duke Guidobaldo, son of Federico, donated the paper mill to the Cappella Musicale del SS. Sacramento of Urbino; ​​the donation served to guarantee a secure and substantial income for the support of this institution whose purpose was the study and development of sacred music. The paper mill was granted the “cenceria” (that is, the contract for the collection of rags, raw material for paper production) throughout the duchy, and the exclusive right to sell the finished product in the same borders. These privileges were maintained even after 1632, when the Duchy of Urbino became part of the Papal States.

Hydroelectric Plant

The paper mill began operating in 1408 and operated until the end of 1800. It was transformed into a hydroelectric plant as early as February 19, 1898, allowing Fermignano to become the first town with electricity and 23 public streetlamps.
During the German retreat in World War II, the plant that worked for the armed forces was mined by German engineers; the courage of the owners and some of their workers enabled the plant and its machine room to be saved, the entrances of which were hidden with a three-headed wall, the plaster of which was still fresh when the German soldiers came to carry out the destruction. It was the first plant in the Province to be activated by the Allies: 2 hours for grinding grain for the population, while for the rest of the day it was used for military needs.