Discover the ancient mine hidden in the Astino Valley near the picturesque monastery and within walking distance of the Upper Town.
The origins of the Astino mine. Cultivated fields, an old monastery, rows of vines and a fairytale atmosphere. Here it opens up before us the Astino Valleynatural beauty within walking distance of the medieval village of Città Alta. A large green space where you can admire the hills of Bergamotasting some local specialities and taking beautiful photographs.
Those who love history and nature can visit here the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (consecrated in 1117), the atmospheric Cascina Mulino and the rich section of theLorenzo Rota' Botanical Garden of Bergamo. Perhaps not everyone knows that within the valley of biodiversity, today Slow Presidium Foodhides another small wonder: a mine.
But how come there is a mine near the precious monastery of Astino?
Quarries and tunnels - the marriage of man and nature
The Astino underground has much to tell. The members of the Mia Foundation of Bergamo and all the speleologists who have had the opportunity to study the area from a geological point of view. The relentless research uncovered an incredible system of quarries and tunnels which once enabled the extraction and exploitation of local mineral resources.
In particular, the Astino mine consists of both cement marl that from a sandstone cliff, visible from the road leading to the Madonna del Bosco. It is thought, in fact, that the presence of the mine influenced the layout of the town and the buildings in the area.
The Astino mine and its founders
The picturesque monastery that today hosts cultural events and gastronomic initiatives dominates the Astino Valley for more than a millennium. Its history actually dates back to the vallombrosan monks who settled in the territory and founded the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (1107).
The religious community, dedicated to prayer and land cultivationused material from the sandstone quarry for the construction of the monastery and the maintenance of the farmhouses located in the valley.
For the future, the city of Bergamo would like to secure the entire mine and create an ad hoc route to enhance this place and allow visitors to visit it.
Learn more about the history of the Astino Monastery and find out about upcoming events, see this article: Astino monastery events
