Geo-Mineralogical and Historical Museum

History of the Museum

The Geo-Mineralogical and Historical Museum of the mining village of Rosas was officially established on August 1, 2016. It is located in the lower section of the old Laveria plant, which, following a thorough renovation, now houses mineralogical collections from the local, regional, national, and global areas.

The Mineralogical Collections

The collection and classification of minerals begins with the raw material—fragments of lead-zinc and mixed-sulfide veins—from which lead, zinc, and copper were extracted. The exhibition also features numerous secondary minerals, which were also mined for the extraction of various metals.

The Discovery of Rosasite

One mineral of particular scientific significance is rosasite, a zinc-copper hydrocarbonate, which was discovered for the first time anywhere in the world at the Rosas Mine in 1908 by geologist Domenico Lovisato. The mineral takes its name from the site of its first discovery, making this museum a must-visit destination for mineralogy enthusiasts.

The Exhibition Itinerary

Through a series of panels accompanied by a wealth of images and text, the museum tells the story of the mine, the technology used, village life, and the social and urban development of the town of Narcao. The tour includes:

• drilling machines dating from the first two decades and the 1950s of the 20th century
• laboratory instruments used for mineralogical analysis
• an interactive exhibit designed to teach visitors about mineral extraction and processing
• typewriters and artifacts from the old post office, which operated in the mining village of Rosas between the 19th and 20th centuries