Lecco and the Resinelli Mines

Abbadia Lariana: Less than half an hour from Lecco are the Piani Resinelli, located in the Lombardy Pre-Alps, at the foot of the Grigne Group.

The Pian dei Resinelli massif was a mining site for centuries.
The mountain is criss-crossed by kilometres of tunnels, where lead, zinc, and calamine were mined, once important for Lecco's steel industry development.
They have recently been restored and reopened and can be visited with specialised guides.

The Piani Resinelli Mining Park consists of ancient mines dating back to the 1600s, which were subsequently subject to repeated mining operations of an increasingly modern nature. They remained in operation until the mid-1900s, when in 1958 it was decided to dismantle them for economic reasons.

Three mines can be visited thanks to the guides and equipment provided (protective helmet, lights).  Each mine has its own name:

The Anna mine mainly mined Argentiferous Galena, a mineral that contains appreciable percentages of silver, hence the name.
The oldest and also the easiest to walk through, particularly suitable for children due to its being horizontal, its wide tunnels and the fact that it is almost completely illuminated.
The Sottocavallo mine mined Blenda or Sphalerite: a zinc sulphide.
It features a central shaft and seven levels of depth and is classified as 'most challenging to visit'.
The Silvia concert hall is a unique and atmospheric setting for music events.
The Resinelli mines represent the history of a not-so-distant past, the discovery of underground work that fascinates children, and the tradition of the Lecco area linked to minerals and iron.
Currently, only the Anna mine can be visited.

The rediscovery of the territory, traditions and origins of Lecco as a 'metallurgical' city make the Resinelli mines an absolute must-see.

Guided tours are conducted in small groups, in complete safety with protective helmets.
The underground world still looks untouched and well-trained guides explain the secrets of mining techniques and about the miners' lives.
The mines are a perfect destination for school and church trips: the visit can be combined with an educational workshop or a hike in the nature of Pian dei Resinelli.