Museo dell'energia idroelettrica di Valcamonica

About the museum

The museum, opened in 2008, is housed in the former hydroelectric power station of Cedegolo, built between 1909 and 1910 to a design by the Brescian engineer and architect Egidio Dabbeni. The carefully restored building offers about 3,200 square metres spread over six floors, with twelve rooms. It is part of the Fondazione Museo dell'industria e del lavoro (musil) of Brescia.

In 2015 it was recognised as an anchor point of the ERIH, the European Route of Industrial Heritage of the Council of Europe, the network of the main industrial archaeology sites in Europe. In the Valle Camonica hydroelectric power was one of the foundations of Italian industrialisation from the early years of the 20th century.

The route, designed for children and adults, follows the water drop from the clouds and rain to the lakes, the dams, the penstocks, the turbines and alternators, and on to distribution in homes and factories. Multimedia and interactive installations, augmented reality and virtual reality allow visitors to listen, touch and experiment, while documentaries by Ermanno Olmi and testimonies of workers tell the story of how the plants were built.

Highlights

• Former hydroelectric plant of Egidio Dabbeni, six floors and twelve rooms
• Interactive installations: Pioggia (Rain), Sandbox in augmented reality and a virtual power station
• Penstock, turbine, alternator and transformer to see up close
• Electric exercise bikes that generate power through pedalling
• Documentaries by Ermanno Olmi and stories of the workers in the power stations

Permanent exhibition

• Il percorso dell'acqua e dell'energia – Twelve rooms on six floors with interactive installations on rain, dams, penstocks, turbines, alternators and the distribution of electricity.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Fondazione Museo dell'industria e del lavoro (musil)

Admission & discounts

Guided visits can be booked all year round.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is declared fully accessible to people with mobility impairments: rooms without architectural barriers and a lift on every floor. Every floor, except the basement, has at least one accessible toilet. Some sensory installations (the Rain room, Sandbox, the interactive wall, the penstock) are also suitable for people with sensory disabilities. Dogs and cats on a lead are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The route is designed for children and adults, with installations to touch and try, such as the electric exercise bikes and the Sandbox. A special family ticket is available, free from the second child onwards.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum has a room called Bar elettrico (Electric Bar) with 25 seats, which is also used for events.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 120 guests.

Twelve multipurpose rooms on six floors (from 20 to 120 seats), including the Macchine (Machines) room, the Volta room and the Tesla room, for weddings, birthdays, company events, conferences, concerts and dinners.

Plan your visit