Miniera della Bagnada
Former talc mine in Valmalenco open to visitors with a guide: four levels of galleries, a mining museum and original equipment, at Lanzada in the Franscia locality.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In 1936 the Bagnada talc deposit was discovered, and the Società Mineraria Valtellinese obtained authorisation to exploit it. After the Second World War the introduction of pneumatic hammers and, in 1975, the purchase of bulldozers modernised the work of a crew of about twenty-five miners, until the mine was closed in 1987 when the deposit was exhausted, after about fifty years of activity.
The site is part of the Ecomuseo della Valmalenco, created to preserve a mining heritage that was at risk of disappearing and that for centuries shaped the economic and social identity of the valley, which was also linked to the extraction of soapstone (pietra ollare).
The galleries extend over nine levels, four of which can be visited. The guided route passes the riservetta, where explosive charges were prepared, and the Camerone, a large underground hall with good acoustics that is also used for concerts; along the way, trolleys, drills and a bulldozer are on display. The mining museum houses tools and an antique hydraulic lathe for working soapstone basins (laveggi), while the Museo mineralogico di Lanzada presents the valley's around 265 mineral species, famous for its demantoid garnets.
Highlights
- Guided tour of the talc mine galleries: four of nine levels
- The Camerone, an underground hall used for concerts
- Mining museum with tools and a hydraulic lathe for soapstone
- Museo mineralogico di Lanzada with the minerals of Valmalenco
- Constant internal temperature of 6–7 °C
- Operated by
- Comune di Lanzada / Ecomuseo della Valmalenco
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,554
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €13 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10children aged 5 to 12 and over 65s |
| Children & teens | €10Reduced rate for children aged 5 to 12; minimum age for admission is 5 years. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €10 per personReduced rate for groups of at least 15 people. |
Prices valid for the mine and the mining museum. Reduced rate also for holders of the Gite in Lombardia Card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance, at about 1,480 m, is reached on foot by a climb of about 15 minutes through a larch forest; the site does not state measures for people with reduced mobility. The galleries are wide.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 5+
Minimum age for admission is 5 years.
Getting there & parking
From Sondrio, follow the provincial road SP 15 of the Valmalenco; at the second roundabout, at Vassalini, turn right towards Lanzada and, after passing the village, follow the signs for Franscia. After some tunnels the mine's base is on the right. From the arrival point the entrance is reached on foot in about 15 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Cameras are allowed; video cameras are not permitted. |
| Good to know | Visits are by guided tour only, and booking is compulsory (also via the Prenota page of the website). The internal temperature is a constant 6–7 °C: long trousers and, preferably, sturdy boots are required; sandals and shoes with heels are not allowed. Large bags and rucksacks must be left in the car or on the coach. Removing material from the mine is prohibited. |
