Coniolo
Coniolo, a small town in the province of Alessandria, is famous for its hill mentioned in Cesare Pavese's book, "The Business of Living". Coniolo is a very picturesque village, with a history rich in mining crops that marked the lives of its inhabitants for over a century.
Society
Demographic evolution
Coniolo has 456 inhabitants, but in the last hundred years, the population has significantly decreased.
Culture
Ethnographic Museum of Mines
The Ethnographic Museum of Mines "Coniolo: The Village that Lived Twice" is located in the Municipal Palace of Coniolo. This museum tells the story of Marne cement mines, which began in the second half of the 19th century and continued for about a hundred years. The history of the town was marked by the cultivation of marls at great depth under the ancient settlement of Coniolo Basso, which caused the loss of eighty-four houses, the church, and the castle. Despite this, the inhabitants did not lose heart, and they rebuilt everything on the site of the current Coniolo Bricco residential center. For this reason, the museum is entitled "Coniolo: The Village that Lived Twice".
Inside the museum, a faithful reproduction of a section of the Marne cement mine is present, including noises and the work carried out by men, women, and children, who could become miners even at the age of nine. The museum is divided into thematic sections where authentic objects and vintage photographs are placed, including: open-pit mining activities from Roman times until 1884, the first tools used, the start of underground mining operations, the development of the "Palazzina Molino Zerbi" mining area, the evolution of extractive activity, industrial mining-related activities, and female and child labor.
Administration
The municipality of Coniolo has had several administrations.
Notes
Other projects
External links
The municipality of Coniolo is a very interesting historical and cultural place to visit, with roots dating back to the Roman era. The Ethnographic Museum is an absolute must-see, especially if you are interested in the mining industry. In this museum, you can experience a journey through the history, culture, and everyday life of the inhabitants of Coniolo.
