The Museum The Mallets of Sarezzo is part of the Trompia Valley Museum System and it is included in the La Via del Ferro e delle Miniere (The Iron and Mining Route) itinerary.
The forge's original structure probably dates back to the 16th century; around 1680 it passed to the Bailo family of foundrymen from Sarezzo. By the middle of the following century, the structure was able to refine the cast iron coming from the smelting furnaces in the valley to prepare it for hammering. From 1889 to 1984, the local Sanzogni family of artisans took over the management, specialising in the production of agricultural implements, particularly coulters, moulders and ploughshares. After this date the plant ceased production and in 1995 the Sarezzo municipal administration decided to purchase the building and inventory and exhibit the tools still present in the former factory, which today make up the Sanzogni Collection.
At the beginning of 2011 the building was equipped with a new video-sound installation and at the end of 2013 the 3 hammers placed in the large hall on the ground floor were restored.
Today, the Museum is the first important step for those travelling up from Brescia who wish to discover the centuries-old tradition linked to the "Iron and Mining Route in Valtrompia", which is flanked by the smelting furnace in Tavernole s/M, the Mines of Pezzaze up to the Sant'Aloisio Mine in Collio V.T.
The itinerary is integrated with the recreational activities that take place in the playroom on the second floor, where children can retrace the ironworking cycle, and with the exhibition of Andrea Pellegrini's private collection. The latter, donated by his widow to the Comunità Montana di Valle Trompia in 2004 and subsequently transferred here from its original location at the former Pellegrini Heat Treatments and Metallurgical Research Centre in Sarezzo, consists of more than two hundred pieces dating back to the 20th century, different in type and use, including compasses, saws, pliers and glass containers.
The video was made by Albatros Film as part of the PIC Geometrie di Valle project with the contribution of the Lombardy Region.
FOR INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS:
Trompia Valley Information Centre
Tel: +39.360.1030495
E-mail. unico@civitas.valletrompia.it
Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. / Tuesday and Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.