18-carat Ticino!

THE PERFECT MOMENT
  • 26 august – 15.10
  • 27°
  • 405 m
  • Surprised

Fishing boots, shovel, bucket, dish… and plenty of patience. Did you know you can actually look for gold in Ticino? There’s a gold mine in Malcantone, which is now open to the public. The perfect place to discover a piece of Ticino's history.

Chestnuts, mushrooms, flowers and bilberries. Of course, you already knew you could look for these natural treasures in Ticino, but did you know you can look for gold too? This region never fails to surprise.

When you first heard about it from Lorenzo, who has been doing it for several years, you initially thought he was joking. Then he convinced you and you decided to join him. It became immediately apparent that it wasn’t really like you’d imagined. You’re not in the Wild West, where all you need to become a prospector is a cowboy hat, a sieve and plenty courage. Here you need a permit, experience and someone who knows the area really well.

On the way to the gold mine, Sessa.

On the way to the gold mine, Sessa.

Shovel on your back, sieve in one hand and bucket in the other.

Shovel on your back, sieve in one hand and bucket in the other.

Looking for gold.

Looking for gold.

Sift out the bed river.

Sift out the bed river.

The river current as a helper to sift through.

The river current as a helper to sift through.

The first speck of glistening gold.

The first speck of glistening gold.

An activity for everyone.

An activity for everyone.

Helmet in the head, the adventure begins.

Helmet in the head, the adventure begins.

Discovering the gold mine, Sessa.

Discovering the gold mine, Sessa.

Gang of miniature miners.

Gang of miniature miners.

This became obvious when you left the car and set off on foot, shovel on your back, sieve in one hand and bucket in the other. You couldn’t possibly have known where to leave the path, wade across the stream and place your tools. However, your expert guide knows. You’ve noticed how the current of the river can help you wash away the biggest stones and earth, leaving behind the residue, which may conceal a few fragments of the precious metal with any luck. It was so exciting when you saw that speck of glistening gold.

You were extremely lucky to have found Lorenzo with his anecdotes, dish and shovel. However, anyone can learn more about Ticino’s mining history by visiting the Gold Mine Museum in Sessa and its mine shaft. After putting on a helmet, you set off on an adventure, as you’ve been told by your friend’s son who went there on a school trip. That gang of miniature miners brought the walls of those narrow tunnels back to life with their laughter and amazement. The greatest treasure is often the excitement of the discovery. 

Alfio Martinelli, - archaeologist
Alfio Martinelli,archaeologist
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A GOOD DAY
9.00

Departure

9.40

Feet in the river

10.50

At last, the first speck of gold

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