- Active & Green
Journey inside the Bagnada Mine
Municipality of Lanzada (SO)
Lanzada(SO): perhaps not everyone knows that this particular area of Valtellina, Valmalenco, has always been characterized by a wealth of mining resources: asbestos, talc, soapstone, serpentinites.
The Bagnada Mine, located in the municipality of Lanzada is very recent: it was in fact discovered in 1936 and was operational for about fifty years. Here talc carbonate (or white talc), at the time and still widely used in various industrial processes, was extracted, and much of the suggestion comes from visiting a mountain that appears very white, inside which long tunnels were dug for the extraction of this mineral so important for the valley.
While on the outside we see a typical alpine landscape, entering the mine allows one to immerse oneself in the white heart of the mountain, where lamellar aggregates typical of talc alternate with white marble.
One is enchanted by the Bagnada: exploring such a special place inside a seemingly "normal" mountain makes one feel as if in a magical world.
The mine has as many as 9 levels, 4 of which can be visited.
There are different types of tunnels related to the use of mining cultivation: cultivated seams, service tunnels, switchbacks, walkways, tunnels and voids for recharging and depositing sterile material.
These include the Riservetta, the room used for storing explosives and preparing charges, and the Camerone, a space now reserved for concerts.
Several pieces of equipment used in mining work at the time are on display.
For the more experienced and interested, the Bagnada mine is located in the sequence of rocks belonging to the "Lanzada - Scermendone Zone"; the rocks in which the mine is excavated are the Triassic dolomitic marbles. Mining has involved two different strands of talc over time. The talc deposit, divided into several levels, has been removed in its entirety by mining. The voids left by the mining body, which are still accessible, therefore represent the network of underground structures serving the mining activity.
The tunnels closest to the mining body's cultivation area thus give way to irregularly shaped voids, limited in size and partially invaded by the backfill of sterile material.
The wonderful journey inside theBagnada mining and mineralogical ecomuseum is divided into three different moments: guided tour through the mine galleries, the mining museum, where objects of daily work are exhibited, and the mineralogical museum, which houses the main minerals that can be found in the Malenco Valley.
Its recovery and enhancement, at the end of mining activities, have a twofold objective: first, to bring back to the memory of local communities the past that has contributed to characterize the identity of Valmalenco, and second, to acquaint visitors with the peculiarities of this very special historical and environmental heritage.
Remember, before crossing the threshold of the mine, that the climate inside the galleries is always very cool; suitable clothing is also useful in summer.
HOURS AND RATES
The mine is open year-round. Hours are subject to seasonal variations.
Visits for groups of 10 people minimum can be arranged upon request.
Entrance fee for visiting the mine and the mining museum:
- full rate: € 11.00
- Reduced rate: € 8.00 (children from 5 to 12 years old and adults over 65 years old; groups minimum 15 people)
CONTACTS AND RESERVATIONS
Visits are conducted with mandatory reservations at:
- Municipality of Lanzada (SO): tel. +39 0342 453243
- Sondrio and Valmalenco Tourist Consortium: tel. +39 0342 451150
For general information: info@minieradellabagnada.it
INFORMATION POINT La Brace - hotel, restaurant - Forcola (SO)
www.labrace.it
CONVENTIONS Miniera della Bagnada has an agreement with Gite in Lombardia.
Reduced price to all members in possession of Gite in Lombardia Card.
www.giteinlombardia.it
