Museo: Museo dell'Energia Idroelettrica di Valle Camonica - MUSIL

Exterior

Welcome to the Hydroelectric Energy Museum of Valle Camonica! You are in the heart of the Alps, in a building constructed between 1909 and 1910, designed by the Brescian architect and engineer Egidio Dabbeni. This is a masterpiece in reinforced concrete that has entered the history books of architecture: at the beginning of the 20th century, reinforced concrete was not yet a widespread material. In 1898, Dabbeni built the first house in Brescia made of reinforced concrete, but he had to sleep in it for many days to convince everyone that it was a safe place. Imagine the appearance of this building over 110 years ago: a sort of spaceship landed in Cedegolo! Look around: walls, windows, floors, everything has remained as it was at the beginning of the last century. Begin your journey into technology and history!

Welcome to the Hydroelectric Energy Museum of Valle Camonica! You are in the heart of the Alps, in a building constructed between 1909 and 1910 based on the design of the Brescian architect and engineer Egidio Dabbeni. It is a masterpiece in reinforced concrete that has entered the history books of architecture: in the early 20th century, reinforced concrete was not yet a widely used material. In 1898, Dabbeni built the first house in Brescia in reinforced concrete, but he had to sleep there for many days to convince everyone that it was a safe place. Imagine the appearance of this building over 110 years ago: a sort of spaceship landed in Cedegolo! Look around: walls, windows, floors, everything has remained as it was at the beginning of the last century. Begin the journey into technology and history!

Rain

At the beginning, in a hydroelectric energy museum, there is water. The Val Camonica has been and continues to be the most important reserve of hydroelectric energy in Italy precisely because it is rich in water, thanks to its many streams fed by the great Adamello glacier. In this installation, you can discover how much rain has fallen in this area, thanks to the measuring system (the pluviometer) managed by the museum. But you can also make thunder roar or increase the intensity of the rain: follow the light traces and... jump!

At the beginning, in a hydroelectric energy museum, there is water. The Valle Camonica has been and still is the most important reserve of hydroelectric energy in Italy precisely because it is very rich in water, thanks to its many streams fed by the great Adamello glacier. In this installation, you can discover how much rain has fallen in this area, thanks to the measuring system (the rain gauge) managed by the museum. But you can also make thunder roar or increase the intensity of the rain: follow the light traces and... jump!

Sandbox

Now is the time to play with the sandbox, an interactive installation that operates thanks to software made freely accessible by the University of California. The other components are simple: a tub, a hundred kilograms of sand, a projector, and, of course, the desire to play! By moving the sand inside the tub, you can create mountains or depressions, but you can also make it rain by holding your hand still under the projector. But try pressing the side button and see what happens!

Now is the time to play with the sandbox, an interactive installation that works thanks to software made freely accessible by the University of California. The other ingredients are simple: a basin, a hundred kilograms of sand, a projector, and, of course, the desire to play! By moving the sand inside the basin, you can create mountains or depressions, but you can also make it rain by holding your hand still under the projector. But try pressing the side button and see what happens!

Ermanno Olmi's Legacy

Among the greatest directors in the history of Italian cinema, author of the emotional tribute to the rural world with "The Tree of Wooden Clogs" (1978), Ermanno Olmi was also a great storyteller of the hydroelectric industry. In 1947, the very young Olmi joined Edison, the historic Milanese electric company, to oversee the recreational activities of the employees. Here, he had his first experiences with the camera, filming the construction of various power plants along the entire Alpine arc. The result was wonderful documentaries that tell the hydroelectric roots of the Italy of the "economic miracle." The Maestro had the opportunity to visit and appreciate our museum, which later dedicated screenings and events to the illustrious guest: the time of Olmi's cinema has not stopped.

Among the greatest directors in the history of Italian cinema, Ermanno Olmi, author of the moving tribute to the peasant world with "The Tree of Wooden Clogs" (1978), was also a great narrator of the hydroelectric industry. In 1947, the very young Olmi joined Edison, the historic Milanese electric company, to oversee the recreational activities of the employees. Here he gained his first experiences with a camera, filming the construction of various power plants throughout the Alpine arc. The result was wonderful documentaries that recount the hydroelectric roots of Italy during the "economic miracle." The Maestro had the opportunity to visit and appreciate our museum, which subsequently dedicated screenings and events to the illustrious guest: the time of Olmi's cinema has not stopped.

Dams

Dams block rivers or streams to create a water reservoir used for irrigating fields, quenching the thirst of populations, collecting excess water, or (here's what interests us the most!) starting the cycle of electricity production. There are different types of dams, and the first video in our installation shows us some: earth dams, concrete dams, gravity dams, or arch dams. The second video tells the story of the greatest tragedy that occurred in this area, a little over 100 years ago: on December 1, 1923, the Gleno dam collapsed due to severe construction errors, causing the death of over 350 people. Let us remember to never forget.

Dams block rivers or streams to create a reservoir of water used to irrigate fields, quench the thirst of populations, collect excess water, or (here’s what interests us the most!) initiate the cycle of electricity production. There are different types of dams, and the first video in our installation shows us some: earth dams or concrete dams, gravity dams or arch dams. The second video recounts the greatest tragedy that occurred in this area, a little over 100 years ago: on December 1, 1923, the Gleno dam collapsed due to severe construction errors, causing the death of over 350 people. Let’s remember not to forget.

Forced conduits

Penstocks are large pipes that channel water from tanks or wells into hydroelectric power plants. These are technologically advanced structures: the penstocks must ensure durability and resistance to very high pressures. The diameter of the penstock is sized according to the flow rate to be conveyed to the plant. The characteristics of the space that separates the "above" (the tank) from the "below" (the plant) determine the characteristics of the penstock, which can be aerial, in a tunnel, or underground. The materials also vary: penstocks can be made of steel, reinforced concrete, cast iron, plastic material, or wood. Flow like water in our penstock and... you'll feel what happens!

Penstocks are large pipes that channel water from tanks or wells into hydroelectric power plants. These are technologically advanced structures: the penstocks must guarantee durability and resistance to very high pressures. The diameter of the penstock is sized according to the flow rate to be conveyed to the plant. The characteristics of the space that separates the "above" (the tank) from the "below" (the plant) determine the characteristics of the penstock, which can be aerial, in a tunnel, or buried. The materials also vary: penstocks can be made of steel, reinforced concrete, cast iron, plastic, or wood. Flow like water through our penstock and... you'll feel what happens!

Turbine

A turbine converts the energy of a fluid (water, steam, gas, or wind) into mechanical energy. Before a hydraulic turbine, water flows inside the penstock in the quantity and at the speed that we have decided. After passing through the turbine, the water returns to the river after having done its work – that of rotating the drive shaft. Hydraulic turbines are of three types and are named after their inventors. Here, painted in blue, we have the most common one, the Francis turbine: invented in 1849 by James Bicheno Francis, a self-taught Englishman, this turbine is suitable for medium-flow watercourses and has a characteristic spiral conduit. Lester Allan Pelton was an American who worked for a long time in mining sites: the turbine named after him is suitable for the impetuous mountain watercourses. Viktor Kaplan is the only one among the turbine inventors with a university education: born in present-day Austria, Prof. Kaplan conceived a turbine suitable for wide and calm watercourses.

A turbine converts the energy of a fluid (water, steam, gas, or wind) into mechanical energy. Before a hydraulic turbine, the water flows through the conduit, in the quantity and at the speed we have decided. After passing through the turbine, the water returns to the river after performing its work – that of rotating the drive shaft. Hydraulic turbines come in three types and are named after their inventors. Here, painted blue, we have the most widespread, the Francis turbine: invented in 1849 by James Bicheno Francis, a self-taught Englishman, this turbine is suitable for medium-flow watercourses and has a characteristic spiral conduit. Lester Allan Pelton was an American who worked extensively in mining works: the turbine that bears his name is suitable for the impetuous mountain watercourses. Viktor Kaplan is the only one among the turbine inventors with a university education: born in present-day Austria, Prof. Kaplan conceived a turbine suitable for wide and calm watercourses.

Alternator

The alternator is a rotating electrical generator that transforms the mechanical energy received from the turbine into electrical energy. Magic? Absolutely not, scientific laws and technology! The fundamental principle is that of electromagnetic induction. According to this law, if we move a magnet near a metal wire, we generate an electric current in the wire. The alternator does exactly this: the drive shaft, set in motion by the turbine, rotates the internal part of the alternator, which is covered with magnets. The external part of the alternator is fixed and covered with copper wires. As the magnets rotate, they generate an alternating electric current in the wires. Look at the manufacturer, it is Gadda and Brioschi Finzi: Giuseppe Gadda was the uncle of one of the greatest Italian writers of the 20th century, Carlo Emilia Gadda, known as “the engineer.” This company, like Riva-Monneret (the turbine manufacturer), is also from Milan, the Italian capital of hydroelectric technology.

The alternator is a rotating electrical generator that transforms the mechanical energy received from the turbine into electrical energy. Magic? Absolutely not, scientific laws and technology! The fundamental principle is that of electromagnetic induction. According to this law, if we move a magnet near a metal wire, we generate an electric current in the wire. The alternator does exactly this: the drive shaft, set in motion by the turbine, rotates the inner part of the alternator, which is covered with magnets. The outer part of the alternator is fixed and covered with copper wires. As the magnets rotate, they generate an alternating electric current in the wires. Look at the manufacturing company, it's Gadda and Brioschi Finzi: Giuseppe Gadda was the uncle of one of the greatest Italian writers of the 20th century, Carlo Emilia Gadda, not coincidentally known as "the engineer." This company, like Riva-Monneret (the turbine manufacturer), is also from Milan, the Italian capital of hydroelectric technology.

Transformer

The electricity generated by the turbine-alternator group, in order to be transmitted over long distances, must be transformed: and here it is, a transformer! Before being directed into the transmission lines, the electric energy thus passes through this machine, which lowers the intensity of the current produced by the rotating electric generator, but raises its voltage. We have distinguished the intensity of the electric current from the voltage: the former is measured in amperes, in honor of the great André-Marie Ampère, called “the Newton of electricity.” On the other hand, the voltage is measured in volts, in honor of the Italian Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery.

The electricity obtained thanks to the turbine-alternator group, in order to be transmitted over long distances, must be transformed: and here it is, a transformer! Before being channeled into the transmission lines, the electrical energy passes through this machine, which lowers the intensity of the current produced by the rotating electric generator, while increasing its voltage. We have distinguished the intensity of the electric current from the voltage: the former is measured in amperes, in honor of the great André-Marie Ampère, called "the Newton of electricity." On the other hand, the voltage is measured in volts, in honor of the Italian Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery.

Stories of Work

Who built the dams? Who laid the penstocks? Who installed the turbines and alternators? Who operated the power plants? On the two screens, you can meet the people (workers, technicians, engineers) who made the hydroelectric system of Valle Camonica one of the driving forces of Italian industrialization. The construction of hydroelectric plants at the beginning of the twentieth century revolutionized the valley: after centuries of poverty and emigration, modern work arrived. Unfortunately, with the work (almost always extremely hard), accidents and illnesses also came: in particular, the tunnel excavations caused hundreds of deaths from silicosis, the respiratory disease typical of miners.

Who built the dams? Who laid the penstocks? Who installed the turbines and alternators? Who operated the power plants? On the two screens, you can meet the people (workers, technicians, engineers) who made the hydroelectric system of Valle Camonica one of the engines of Italian industrialization. The construction of hydroelectric plants at the beginning of the 20th century revolutionized the valley: after centuries of poverty and emigration, modern work arrived. Unfortunately, with work (almost always extremely hard), accidents and illnesses also came: in particular, tunnel excavations caused many hundreds of deaths due to silicosis, the respiratory disease typical of miners.

Electric bicycles

We encountered the alternator, which is an industrial electric current generator. But even the bicycle dynamo works in a very similar way: here too we have a magnet that is made to rotate, and its movement generates an electric current in the wire that surrounds the magnet. The more you pedal, the more you increase the speed of the wheel, the more you rotate the magnet, the more electric current you produce. Go for it!

We encountered the alternator, which is an industrial electric current generator. But even a bicycle dynamo works in a very similar way: here too a magnet is made to rotate and its movement generates an electric current in the wire that wraps around the magnet. The more you pedal, the higher the wheel speed, the more you rotate the magnet, the more electric current you produce. Go for it!

Transmission tower

Initially, the energy produced in hydroelectric plants could only be used within a radius of a few kilometers. It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that electricity began to be transported over distances. It was then that hydroelectric power became a big business. Until then, the plants were owned by small local companies. With the ability to transport energy anywhere, the "white gold rush" began: water became an incredibly precious commodity, also for economic reasons. The residents and municipalities of the area could not resist the onslaught of large companies from Brescia and Milan, which became enormously wealthy, leaving the locals with mere crumbs. The pylon is the symbol of that turning point: it is thanks to structures like these that electricity and money leave the Camonica Valley.

Initially, the energy produced in hydroelectric plants could only be used within a radius of a few kilometers. It was only at the beginning of the twentieth century that electricity began to be transported over longer distances. It was then that hydroelectric power became a big business. Until then, the plants were owned by small local companies. With the possibility of transporting energy everywhere, the "white gold rush" began: water became an extremely precious commodity for economic reasons as well. The inhabitants and municipalities of the area could not resist the assault of large companies from Brescia and Milan, which became enormously wealthy, leaving the locals with mere scraps. The power transmission tower is the symbol of that turning point: it is thanks to structures like these that electricity and money leave the Camonica Valley.

Electric machines

Displayed in the cases, you will find a series of historical machines used by hydroelectric plant technicians. These are mostly instruments for measuring electrical energy, with a functioning that is not easy to explain to non-specialists. Let's focus on the design: as you can see, they are aesthetically refined machines, well-preserved by those who used them, perhaps for decades. They are machines from the twentieth century, examples of industrial design: solid, metallic, designed to last.

Displayed in the cases, you will find a series of historical machines used by technicians in hydroelectric plants. These are mostly instruments for measuring electrical energy, whose operation is not easy to explain to non-specialists. Let's focus on the design: as you can see, these are aesthetically refined machines, well-preserved by those who used them, perhaps for decades. They are machines from the twentieth century, examples of industrial design: solid, metallic, designed to last.

On the Camonica Valley

The Camonica Valley is one of the largest Italian Alpine valleys, which has become the capital of hydroelectric energy thanks to the immense reservoir of the Adamello glacier. Here you can see the dams and power plants of the Valley, but you can also appreciate the vastness of this mountain: the Adamello is over 3,500 meters high and its glacier covers a vast area. Today, unfortunately, climate change is reducing its extent: from 15.7 square kilometers in August 2007, it decreased to 13.1 km in 2022. At this rate, the glacier will disappear by 2080. It is also up to us to do something.

The Camonica Valley is one of the largest Italian alpine valleys, which has become the capital of hydroelectric energy thanks to the immense reservoir of the Adamello glacier. Here you can see dams and power plants of the Valley, but you can also appreciate the vastness of this mountain: the Adamello is over 3,500 meters high and its glacier covers a very extensive area. Today, unfortunately, climate change is reducing its size: from 15.7 square kilometers in August 2007 to 13.1 km in 2022. At this rate, the glacier will disappear by 2080. It's also up to us to do something.

Water cycle

From water to hydroelectric power, a summary on an interactive wall: touch the blue-colored areas with an open hand to see what can be done with the energy produced. No need to talk, you have to try!

From water to hydroelectric energy, a summary on an interactive wall: touch the blue-colored areas with an open hand to see what can be done with the energy produced. Talking is useless, you need to try!

Know-how

Preserving and transmitting the memory of work is one of the main missions of our museum. An example of this is the installation dedicated to Battista Pacchiotti, which centers on the lathe on which Battista worked for decades. Pacchiotti's personality and enthusiasm, as a mechanic and typical representative of the work aristocracy formed around the hydroelectric plants of the Camonica Valley, are conveyed through video interview footage that complements the exhibit. The entire setup engages in an ideal dialogue with the documentaries made by Ermanno Olmi, to whom Battista Pacchiotti was very attached, having assisted him in the work for the masterpiece "Il Tempo si è fermato," created by the Maestro in the hydroelectric plants of the valley.

Preserving and transmitting the memory of work is one of the main missions of our museum. An example of this is the installation dedicated to Battista Pacchiotti, which features the lathe on which Battista worked for decades. Pacchiotti's personality and enthusiasm, a mechanic and typical representative of that labor aristocracy formed around the Camunian hydroelectric plants, are conveyed through video interviews that complete the exhibit. The entire setup engages in an ideal dialogue with the documentaries made by Ermanno Olmi, to whom Battista Pacchiotti was very close, having assisted him in the work for the masterpiece "Time Stood Still," created by the Maestro in the valley's hydroelectric plants.

Lighting

Water, turbines, alternators, alright. But in the end, the electricity we see every day is often that of light bulbs: incandescent or LED bulbs, in a thousand different shapes. In the "electric bar," you will find some of them, accompanied by explanations and drawings visible on the tables. Even if you're not interested, take the opportunity to sit and rest for a moment: you're almost at the end of the visit, you deserve it!

Water, turbines, alternators, all right. But in the end, the electricity we see every day is often that of light bulbs: incandescent or LED bulbs, in a thousand different shapes. In the "electric bar," you will find some, accompanied by explanations and drawings visible on the tables. Even if you are not interested, take the opportunity to sit down and rest for a moment: you are almost at the end of the visit, you deserve it!

Virtual Plant

Thanks to the digital viewer and the 3D reconstruction of the inside of the Power Plant, it is possible to immerse oneself in the operating machine room: turbines, alternators, noises... Everything as it used to be, everything true, everything (almost) real. The subject of the 3D simulation is the machine room, active until the 1940s. The four turbine-alternator generator sets converted into electricity the water supplied by two penstocks that, crossing the river, connected the overhead loading basin to the plant.

Thanks to the digital viewer and the 3D reconstruction of the interior of the Power Plant, it is possible to immerse oneself in the operating engine room: turbines, alternators, noises... Everything as it once was, everything true, everything (almost) real. The object of the 3D simulation is the engine room, active until the 1940s. The four turbine-alternator generator units transformed the water, fed by two penstocks that crossed the river and connected the upstream loading tank to the power plant, into electricity.

Conclusion

We thank you for your visit and remind you that the Hydroelectric Energy Museum of Cedegolo is just one of the three locations of MUSIL – Museum of Industry and Labor in Brescia. In Rodengo Saiano, in Franciacorta, there is the Visitabile Warehouse and in Brescia, there is the beautiful Iron Museum. We look forward to seeing you at the other two locations as well!

Thank you for your visit, and we remind you that the Cedegolo Hydroelectric Energy Museum is just one of the three locations of MUSIL – Museum of Industry and Labor of Brescia. In Rodengo Saiano, in Franciacorta, there is the Visitabile Warehouse, and in Brescia, there is the beautiful Iron Museum. We look forward to seeing you at the other two locations as well!