Industrial Archaeology Ecomuseum of Bivongi

The Ecomuseum of the ironworks and foundries of Calabria is a project by ACAI (Calabrian Association of Industrial Archaeology, based in Bivongi) established in 1982. The aim of the project is the research, study, safeguarding, and cultural promotion of the Calabrian industrial archaeology heritage, particularly that located in the Stilaro valley, defined as “the cradle of the first southern industrialization.” The ecomuseum has been working for several years in the municipal territory of Bivongi to recover and restore: An ancient mine entrance; A hydroelectric power plant from 1913; Two hydraulic mills; An ancient tannery, formerly the Fieramosca ironworks; A guesthouse annexed to a thermal establishment. Other initiatives include: the “Museum of Industrial Archaeology and Material Culture,” the first of its kind in Southern Italy, which is already active in a premises located in the former Basilian convent “San Giovanni Theresti” in Stilo, and in collaboration with the Municipal Administration of Pazzano, the creation of a “Mining Culture” museum..