Gaffione Mine

The Gaffione di Schilpario mine is a complex of tunnels that can be explored partly on foot and partly on board the original railway, to rediscover an important piece of the history of the Val di Scalve, in the province of Bergamo. 

The mine complex consists of 60 kilometres of tunnels, four of which can be visited and explored, and the experience is truly exciting for children and adults alike.
It is fascinating to discover that the vein of ore was located in outcrops that were generally over 2000 metres above sea level.
Here the ore was in sight and was dug down into the heart of the mountain.

The narrow entrances, dug with economy, were called 'mouths'. From there, the 'purtì' descended to the inside of the mine where the previously dug and selected ore was loaded into the characteristic panniers. The purtì, boys aged 11 to 15, climbed up with the precious cargo along the tunnel leading to the exit, lighting the way with an oil lamp.

An terracotta bowl placed inside the mine was used to count the climbs; each person placed a pebble in their own bowl count the climbs.

In the 1930s, the large steel companies took over the mining concessions that had hitherto belonged to private individuals, introducing modern compressed air machinery, decauville railways and mechanical shovels. There was indeed a revolution that intensified mining production, the processes of excavation and ore enrichment, and the miners also began to receive their first wages.