CALAMITA MINE
A veritable open-air museum, the Calamita mines are the largest iron reserves in Europe. A captivating visit!
A captivating visit in perspective, which allows you to better understand the island of Elba and its past, supervised by enthusiasts who will be able to answer all your questions. The Elbe deposits are among the oldest iron deposits in the world. The mines of the Calamita Mining Park are now similar to a real open-air museum.
First stop is the Vecchia Officina Museum, located six kilometres south of Capoliveri, including four kilometres of stone road that offers a beautiful panorama. Then, a bus takes you to the Ginevro mine (galleria del Ginevro) in about fifteen minutes. The promontory of Mount Calamita offers magnificent landscapes, commented by a guide. The visit can begin! Ginevro is the only underground mine on the island of Elba, Europe's largest iron reserve, closed in 1981. This modern mine was dug more than fifty metres below sea level. The guides are very knowledgeable (visits in English, Italian and German); you will learn a lot about the history of the island and the importance of the iron industry since the Etruscans, then called "the island of a thousand fires". It is difficult to remain insensitive to the working conditions of minors.
Finally, back to the Vecchia Officina Museum, built inside the mine's mechanical workshop, where you can discover objects that belonged to the miners, the infirmary, accident records, as well as a poignant video of testimonies from former workers.
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