Ecomuseo "Il Ferro e la Diorite"

About the museum

At Traversella, in the Val Chiusella, mining activity continued for centuries thanks to the extraction of iron from the local deposit, in contact with diorite. The name of the ecomuseum, “Il Ferro e la Diorite” (“Iron and Diorite”), recalls exactly this history. The mining complex, now disused, is home to the Centro Minerario.

Inside the centre is the Museo dei minerali e delle attrezzature della miniera di Traversella, curated by the volunteers of the Gruppo Mineralogico Valchiusella. It holds a collection of more than 300 mineral samples, with a systematic display of the minerals typical of the local deposit, and an exhibition of the tools and work implements recovered from the mine and the nearby buildings. The site is known in particular for the amethyst quartz crystals found in 1959.

In the outdoor area of the complex, educational itineraries allow visitors to explore the Geoparco Minerario, with part of the galleries, the extraction shaft and the engine room. The museum has been expanded and adapted to remove architectural barriers, with the aim of making it accessible to everyone.

Highlights

• More than 300 mineral samples from the Traversella deposit
• Original mine equipment
• Amethyst crystals from Traversella
• Geoparco Minerario with galleries, shaft and engine room
• Herity-certified site

Permanent exhibition

• Museo dei minerali e delle attrezzature della miniera di Traversella – More than 300 mineral samples from the local deposit and work tools recovered from the mine.

Operated by

Gruppo Mineralogico Valchiusella

Visitors per year

approx. 3,000

Admission & discounts

Full-price ticket €3 according to the Ministry of Culture’s portal; the association’s website previously indicated €1.50 for children aged 5 to 12.

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

According to the association, the museum has been expanded and modified to remove architectural barriers.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Località Miniere, in the old mining complex of Traversella, in the Val Chiusella.

Amenities & 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