Museo della Vecchia officina. Miniere di Calamita
Museum set up in the workshops of the Cantiere Vallone on Monte Calamita, the starting point for visits to the iron mines of Capoliveri.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum welcomes visitors at the gates of the Calamita mine, in the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano, about 6 km from Capoliveri. It is housed in the old workshops of the Cantiere Vallone, the richest and largest of the village’s mining sites, and tells the story of the oldest mining village on Elba.
The route presents rooms reconstructed with original objects and furnishings, old documents and maps, and images and films linked to the tradition of Capoliveri. It explains the daily life and stories of the miners, extraction techniques, and the characteristics of iron minerals and their possible uses.
As well as being an exhibition space, the museum is the starting point for several trekking routes and guided visits to the underground galleries, the open-air mining sites, the beaches and the paths of Monte Calamita. In the area there are also a small bookshop, a picnic area and a large car park.
Highlights
- Miners’ rooms reconstructed with original objects and furnishings
- Documents, maps, images and films on the history of the mines
- Iron minerals and extraction techniques
- Starting point of guided visits to the underground galleries of Calamita
Permanent exhibition
- Museo della Vecchia Officina – History of the Calamita iron mines, life of the miners and minerals, in rooms reconstructed in the workshops of the Cantiere Vallone.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Caput Liberum S.r.l.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 3 · For Route 1 the reduced rate applies from age 4 to 12, and admission is free up to age 3. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –The group ticket applies from 15 paying participants; accompanying persons are free, and one entrance is free for every 25 paying participants. |
| Route 1 (easy underground guided visit, about 50 minutes), full price | €20Reduced €13, residents €12, partner rate €18 (reduced partner rate €12); museum included. |
| Route 2 (guided visit with a descending gallery, about 50 minutes), full price | €25Reduced €20, residents €18, partner rate €23 (reduced partner rate €19); museum included; from age 12. |
Prices for the guided routes include admission to the museum. Rates are available for residents and for partner accommodation establishments.
Accessibility
- Partially 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
Route 1 is flat and accessible to everyone; Route 2 descends steep steps and requires suitable footwear. For all routes, shoes suitable for uneven ground are recommended.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Large car park at the museum.
The museum is 6 km from Capoliveri, of which 4 km are on an unsurfaced road; the Ginevro underground gallery is a further 6 km away and is connected by shuttle buses.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Small bookshop and picnic area.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits start from the museum. The site can be reached by car in about 20 minutes from Capoliveri (6 km, partly on an unsurfaced road). Booking is recommended; visits for groups are possible on request at any time of year. |
