- Active & Green
Inside the Ferromin Mine in Malonno (BS)
The Ferrominers Mine, closed in 1953 and reopened to visitors after an important restoration project, now offers the chance to enter a place that has shaped the life and economy of the local community for centuries.
Inside the mountain, inside history
Tunnels and underground passages carved into the rock tell an ancient story. The mining tradition of Malonno is linked to the extraction of copper, cadmium and, above all, iron, a resource that deeply influenced the development of the area.
Some historians trace mining activities back to Roman times, while from the 15th century onwards iron extraction and processing underwent significant development. In the 16th century, a new iron smelting furnace was built and a real local economy developed around the mineral: miners, transport workers, smelting workers, craftsmen and charcoal makers all contributed to a production chain that brought iron to the markets of Pisogne, Brescia and Bergamo.
At the end of the 19th century, local production gradually became less competitive and mining activities declined. However, the mine came back to life in the 20th century, when the Ferromin company resumed iron extraction and reopened the underground tunnels.
When iron shaped a community
During its most active period, the mine employed around one hundred workers, most of them from Malonno.
Mining was hard and dangerous work. At first, extraction was carried out mainly by hand; later, mechanical drills powered first by air and then by water were introduced. The extracted material was processed and transported to steel plants, while infrastructures and service buildings developed around the mine.
After a suspension in 1947 and a brief reopening in 1951, mining activities officially ended in 1953.
But the story of the mine did not end with its closure.
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A memory brought back to life
For generations, miners’ stories continued to live on through the families of Malonno. This shared memory inspired the desire to restore the ancient tunnels and bring this heritage back to the community.
In 2015, the Gruppo Speleologico Camuno began rediscovering and promoting the local mining heritage through explorations, activities and first visits. In 2020, the mine restoration project officially began, with works starting in 2023 and completed in 2025.
Today, the Ferromin Mine Park gives this heritage back to the community and visitors, transforming a former workplace into a place dedicated to knowledge, memory and the enhancement of the territory.
Visitors are accompanied by the guides of the Ferrominers cooperative, created from the passion of a group of young people who grew up listening to the stories of their miner grandparents and exploring these underground environments.
This connection with the past is also symbolised by the carbide lamp, once an essential companion for miners and still used today by guides during tours as a reminder of the people who worked inside these tunnels.
Two hours beneath the surface
The guided tour lasts approximately two hours and takes visitors through tunnels and underground passages, where the temperature remains around 10°C.
It is an experience that offers a direct connection with mining history, allowing visitors to explore the spaces where generations of workers spent their lives and discover the deep bond between Malonno and its mountain.
A journey underground, but above all a journey through the memory of a community.
Visitor information
Ticket prices: €13 adults; €10 children (from 5 to 12 years old)
Guided tours usually take place on Saturdays and Sundays and advance booking is required.
For groups and schools of at least 15 people, special openings can be arranged, including during weekdays.
Children from 5 years old can access the mine.
To visit the mine, visitors must wear hiking shoes or boots, long trousers and comfortable clothing, including a sweatshirt or jacket even during summer. Helmets and under-helmets are provided by the organisation.
The visit is not permitted for pregnant women and is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or motor disabilities, or for people suffering from panic attacks, anxiety or claustrophobia.
