Miniera del Cornacchino

About the museum

The Cornacchino mine lies not far from Castell’Azzara, on the southern slope of Monte Penna. Mining began in 1872 at the behest of Filippo Schwarzenberg, and the deposit remained in the family’s hands until 1917, when it was taken over by the Monte Amiata company. Cinnabar, the mineral from which mercury is obtained, was mined here; it had already been known in Etruscan times, and in a cave ancient pottery and a coin of Philip II of Macedon were found.

From 1879, as the work intensified, a small mining village grew up and the director’s house was built. Here silicosis, a lung disease of miners, was identified for the first time. Activity ceased in the early twenties of the 20th century.

With the support of the provisional management committee of the Parco museo delle miniere del Monte Amiata, the site was restored and has been open to the public as a museum trail since 2008. It includes a forest path that starts at the locality of Quercia Gobba and follows the fosso del Cornacchino, and the two galleries of the so-called “galleria Ritorta”, dating from before 1889 and several hundred metres long. The site is part of the Sistema museale dell’Amiata grossetano and the Musei di Maremma network, and is managed by the Pro loco (local tourist association) of Castell’Azzara.

Highlights

• Forest path of about 500 metres along the fosso del Cornacchino
• Two galleries of the “galleria Ritorta”, visitable with a guide
• Cinnabar mine already known in Etruscan times
• Remains of the mining village and the director’s house
• Place where silicosis was first identified

Permanent exhibition

• Sentiero e gallerie della miniera del Cornacchino – Path through the forest to the two Ritorta mine galleries, with a guided visit underground.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Pro loco di Castell’Azzara

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 Musei di Maremma listing, the site is not accessible to people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The visit can begin at the locality of Quercia Gobba, where the forest path starts and reaches the galleries in about 500 metres.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop: not available

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit