Fucina museo
Ethnographic museum in two 17th-century forges in Bienno: a trip hammer, a furnace and tools show how iron was worked in Valle Camonica.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Fucina Museo was founded in 1988 in the buildings of two old forges, probably dating from the 17th century and belonging to the Morandini and Panteghini families. The Comune of Bienno acquired them in 1985. Forging work had continued there until the 1980s of the 20th century, when the last smith, Bortolo Mendeni, stopped working there.
Together with the Mulino Museo, the museum forms the main core of the Museo etnografico del ferro, delle arti e tradizioni popolari di Bienno (Ethnographic Museum of Iron, Crafts and Folk Traditions of Bienno). It stands next to the Vaso Rè, the artificial canal that once powered the village's water-driven machinery, and is part of the Ecomuseo del Vaso Rè e della Valle dei Magli.
On the ground floor a teaching area with panels, videos and tools illustrates the stages of ironworking, from extracting the ore to the finished product. The mezzanine holds finds linked to metal extraction. The original forge is preserved in its historic state, with the trip hammer, shears, furnace, work tools and models of finished products such as spades, shovels and hoes.
Highlights
- Historic forge with water-powered trip hammer, shears and furnace
- Teaching area on ironworking, from ore to finished product
- Tools and models of spades, shovels and hoes
- Part of the Ecomuseo del Vaso Rè e della Valle dei Magli
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- Comune di Bienno
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,015
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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 municipality's listing, the museum system is also accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Kids & families
The nearby Fucina Ludoteca is an educational centre for children; the museum offers educational activities.
Getting there & parking
The museum is on Via Artigiani, in the historic centre of Bienno, along the Vaso Rè canal.
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
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Nearby are the Fucina Ludoteca, an educational centre for children, and the Scuola di Forgiatura. The association of smiths Fréar dè Bién organises live demonstrations with the trip hammers. |
