Marzoli mine

The Marzoli mine is located in Val Trompia, in the province of Brescia, a lush valley formed by numerous villages that offer unique views.

Mining in this area began in the Iron Age and continued into the Roman era. These mines, however, acquired importance from the end of the Middle Ages, when over 50 small mines were active.
Initially, the mineral was extracted from top to bottom, i.e. the mineral vein on the surface was identified and tunnels were dug from here. Starting from the second half of the 19th century, with the refinement of mining techniques, the extraction of the mineral was carried out from the bottom upwards, searching for the veins of material in depth and following them in the mountain.
In the mine, active until the end of the 1900s, iron minerals were initially extracted and, subsequently, fluorite. Mining at these sites ceased in 1999.

The entrance to the mine takes place via an electric train that was used to transport the ore outside, on original tracks. Entering about 700 meters inside the mountain made up of sedimentary rocks, one is immediately struck by the low temperature (constant at around 10 ° C throughout the year) and by the very high humidity. Once in a place where you can get off the train, continue on foot for about 800 meters along the original galleries of the mine along which you can observe the evolution of the excavation techniques used by the miners over time, the minerals along the walls of the galleries, the natural springs determined by the intrusion of rivers and streams inside the galleries.
Visiting these mines represents an opportunity to relive some of the sensations experienced by the miners, observe the depths of the mountain and listen to the extreme silence and the purest air inside them.

Once the walk through the mine tunnels has been completed, you get back on the train in the direction of the exit. As we get closer to the end of the main gallery, the temperature rises and, once reached the entrance, we are assailed by the scents and smells of the environment. This is because the air inside the mines is free of pollutants, pollen and odors and, once the sense of smell is accustomed to this condition, going outside causes a temporary sensation of “hyper smell”.