Traces of rural life: the Cjase Cocèl photographic archive in Fagagna

In Fagagna, in the hills of central Friuli, an old farmhouse with sections dating back to the 17th century houses the “Cjase Cocèl” Museum of Rural Life. The name comes from the nickname given to the Chiarvesio family - known as “Cocèl” - who lived in the house for many years. The museum offers a glimpse into the daily life and work of rural communities from the late 19th century through the 1950s, before the profound social and economic changes that reshaped the countryside and its communities.

Alongside objects and tools from everyday life, the museum preserves a valuable photographic collection: images documenting the local area, its inhabitants and their activities. Grana Fina carried out the rehousing, digitisation and cataloguing of approximately 400 photographic items. For each item, key descriptive information was recorded - subject, date, photographic process, dimensions, inscriptions and condition - and high-resolution digital images of both the recto and verso were produced.

The project helped improve the preservation conditions of the collection and expanded opportunities for access and research. The photographs also provide a resource for developing new exhibitions and educational activities, strengthening the connection between the museum's photographic heritage and the history of the Fagagna community.