- Active & Green
- Mountains
Discover the charm of "Ex-Polveriera" Mine
Also known as the “pocket-sized mine”, this ancient tunnel offers a glimpse into the underground world of miners, among railway tracks, original tools and traces of the work that shaped this area for generations.
An experience combining history, nature and education, offering an opportunity to discover the deep connection between the community of Val del Riso and the mountains.
A mine within the farm
The Former Polveriera Mine is located within the Fattoria Didattica Ariete, surrounded by the green landscape of Val del Riso. The farm is part of the Ecomuseum of the Gorno Mines and offers a range of routes dedicated to discovering the history and natural environment of the area. Among these, the Sentiero del Lavoro e dei Minatori (Workers' and Miners' Trail) takes visitors inside an old mine, offering an opportunity to learn about the world of mining at first hand. Here, the mining experience becomes part of the wider farm experience, where nature, animals, water and educational activities reveal different aspects of life in Val del Riso.
Inside the “pocket-sized mine”
The route leads into an ancient tunnel once used as a powder magazine.Its small dimensions have earned it the name “pocket-sized mine”, but the site still preserves elements that convey the reality of working underground. Inside, railway tracks and original tools are still visible, accompanying the route and helping visitors imagine the activities once carried out by miners beneath the mountain.
Traces of mining activity above ground
The experience does not end at the entrance to the tunnel.
The route can also include the spaces and structures that formed part of the mining complex, including the ore-processing plant, hoppers, caretaker's house, old railway tracks and main entrances. These remains help visitors understand how mining activity was organised and how the miners' work extended from the underground tunnels to the facilities on the surface.
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A story to experience with the family
The Former Polveriera Mine is part of the activities offered by the Fattoria Ariete, created as a place dedicated to education and discovering Val del Riso. The farm stretches along the Riso River, next to a pond and within a pine forest that is home to the farm's animals. Alongside the Sentiero del Lavoro e dei Minatori, visitors can explore routes dedicated to water, nature, animals and the world of bees. A visit to the mine can therefore become part of a broader experience, particularly suited to families and groups who want to discover the area through activities connected with nature and local history.
A journey beneath the mountains of Val del Riso
Entering the Former Polveriera Mine means discovering a compact underground environment where preserved tools and traces of the past tell the story of a way of working that has long disappeared. This short journey underground offers an opportunity to learn about Gorno's mining heritage and understand the role the mountains have played in the life of the local community. From the farm to the mine, from the surface to the underground: a different way to discover Val del Riso.
Visitor information
The Former Polveriera Mine can be visited as part of the activities and routes organised by the Fattoria Didattica Ariete. The temperature inside the mine is around 10°C, so comfortable shoes and a warm jumper or jacket are recommended. Visits can also take place in bad weather.
For information about visits, educational activities and booking arrangements, please contact the Fattoria Ariete.
Ticket prices: Full-day admission: €12 per person
