Ancient Quarry (Ornavasso)

A trip into the mountain, through the marble, the sounds of nature, art and the work of men.
The route in total security is about 200 mt – in addition to 50 mt of the hall of extraction and – at your request – can be toured by entry only using the front lamp. After about 10 minutes and until the conclusion of the visit will still be on the artificial light to admire the hall of extraction.

If we concentrate on the colors and striations of this material we understand why the marble of Ornavasso has created several masterpieces of Italian art: the Duomo of Milan, in particular, for external covering and slabs of the floors, the facade of Certosa of Pavia and the pillars covering of the Cathedral of Pavia, yard that from the ‘500 century has engaged the quarries of Ornavasso.
Also the covering oh the apses of San Carlo and Santa Cristina Church in Turin, the altar and the pinnacles of the church of Busto Arsizio, the altar of the Church of Sestriere, the church of San Fedele and the Arch of Peace in Corso Sempione in Milan are made by the marble of Ornavasso. Among the more recent and famous artists you can remember the names of Giò Pomodoro and Giancarlo Sangregorio.

Regarding the Cathedral of Milan we have to remember that the large quantity of marble required for the facade and for the floors was the luck of Ornavasso Quarry and of a group of entrepreneurs able to apply new techniques and to provide to the Fabbrica del Duomo raw material, even when Napoleone Bonaparte, after the crowring in the Cathedral, decided the completion of the façade.

The time spent within the quarry shall not exceed 20/25 minutes.
At the exit you have to return safety equipment and devices.

In the historic visit of the quarry you will be given a map to continue the visit in the historic-archaeological and natural area of Ornavasso and Migiandone.

The routes – easy to cover – suggested on the basis of time at your disposal are:

1- After the visit of the quarry, carry on on foot or by mountain bike until The Fort of Bara and the Fortified Cadorna Line through an easy flat walk (1.9 km). Get off the first bend and visit the first trench location. Then return to the Quarry. This route is done on foot in about 1 hour inclusive of return.
2- When you arrive at The Fort of Bara you can continue and make the discent complete (1.7 km) along the fortified line and visit the other trnches and locations. When you arrive at the Piazzale del Cannone (Punta di Migiandone), you can return back along the red path of Nordic walking. The total journey time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Alternatively you can reach directly by car the Punta di Migiandone and make on foot only the ascent and descent along the Fortified Line (1 hour and 30 minutes).
3- From the Piazzale della Cava we recommend you to go on by car or on foot towards the shrine of Madonna del Boden – at about 1.5 km, where you can visit the church and the collection of votive offerings . Suggestive is also the Via Crucis with frescoed chapels along the ancient route of the pilgrims, that in about 20 minutes connects tha Sanctuary with the parish Church.
4- The map shows other routes to Migiandone and in the countryside and in the Toce river area that can be covered in base of your level of training.

Panels and signs include the information in Italian, English and German.

The rates for the visit are:

Children under 5 years old: free
Children from 6 to 13 years old: € 4,00
Adults: € 6,00
Families with at least 2 paying adults – up to 2 children from 6 to 13 years old free
Groups of 20 people or more: € 4,00

Hours

From Tuesday to Saturday from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
On Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Closed on Monday
For visits in other times or groups please call +39 0324 346102

Please send your comments on the website www.anticacava.it – Have a good visit!

VISIT OF THE ANCIENT QUARRY

Open from 1st of June to 30th of September
From Tuesday to Saturday from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
On Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Closed on Monday
Mobile number of ticket office: 366 5314145
For visits in other times or groups please call +39 0324 346102

To reach the old quarry:

On foot or by mountain bike
From the stopping area of the gun (Ounta di Migiandone) slope to The Fort of Bara (1.7 Km) and then naturalistic flat walk of 1.9 km (route suitable for all)

By car
Proceed along the road towards Ornavasso for about 1.8 km, then from the bridge over the Torrente San Carlo continue for 1.5 km towards the Shrine of Boden

Tourist coaches
Parking place in Punta di Migiandone or in Ornavasso, XXIV Maggio Square