Copper Forge

Copper Forge is a Visitor Center of the Gran Paradiso National Park.

It dates back to 1675 and it was active until 1952.

Life in the Soana Valley has been linked to metalworking, the export of finished goods, and the craft of skilled coppersmiths—known as ‘ruga’ or ‘magnin’—for centuries.

The forge primarily produced tools for local coppersmiths to manufacture copper household items.

However, it cannot be ruled out that during certain periods, such as the Napoleonic era, the forge produced military equipment.

Visiting the forge provides an opportunity to look back at the early stages of copper processing according to pre-industrial metalworking techniques.

Blast furnaces used to be supplied with charcoal sourced from local woods, while machinery was driven by water power.

Bookable creative copper-working workshops are available.