A tour of the historic mines of Val del Riso and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Frassino, offering a glimpse into the mining history and traditions of the Seriana Valley.
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This initiative offers a tour through the Val del Riso, a region of the Val Seriana that still bears the traces of its mining history. For centuries, the mountains in this area were used for the extraction of minerals such as blende, galena, and calamine, which are essential for the production of zinc, lead, and sulfuric acid.
Mining activities in the area date back to Roman times and, in the past, involved the so-called “damnata ad metalla”—that is, those condemned to forced labor in the mines.
Schedule of the visit
The itinerary includes several stops that blend nature and history:
Meet in Oneta and travel to Plassa for a walk of about 10 minutes to the Foghera mine, a site that has recently been made safe and opened to visitors.
Travel by your own means to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Frassino, situated in a scenic location overlooking the Val del Riso.
A visit to the sanctuary, dating back to 1502, which houses the “Polyptych of the Visitation” created by the Santacroce family.
You may explore the Oneta Ethnographic Museum on your own after the tour ends.
Useful information
Date and time: to be confirmed
Meeting place: parking lot at Via Giovanni XXIII, 3, Oneta, Province of Bergamo
Duration: approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including travel time
Prices: 18 euros for adults, 16 euros (reduced rate) for people with disabilities or impairments, 10 euros (reduced rate) for children ages 6 to 15, free for children 5 and under