FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[mineralenzo]

Hello everyone, my name is Enzo, I am a mineral researcher who delights in my free time looking for minerals particularly in the region where I reside (while not forgetting also those outside the region if conditions allow it) and I prefer to search in little areas known and frequented.
Now I leave you because the time at my disposal is running out and I will add that I will shortly give information on how collecting takes place in these parts, that is, with what methods and characteristics before proceeding to the story of the excursions! See you soon then!
Enzo.

[mineralenzo]

Greetings to all, let's start this timeless walk ... Did you remember the first adventures, the first "hiking" outings of when you were young? I do and with a certain nostalgia, the memories and sensations of the time, the emotions of that time, I remember for example brief glimpses of the then walks in the company of my mother in the sectors of Sferracavallo or Mondello near Palermo where a piece of calcite in small crystals astonished and where I didn't even know the name of minerals ... Now, more than 40 years later, there are only memories without photos of that period which, however, sealed the basis for the future collection.

[mineralenzo]

Let's start this tour of the Argimosco plateau located on the eastern Nebrodi mountains, near Montalbano Elicona, in the province of Messina, north-eastern Sicily, Italy

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Volcanic islands located on the Tyrrhenian far north east of Sicily, Italy.

The naturalistic island par excellence, the closest from Milazzo, the place from which the connections to the islands depart and arrive, is Vulcano, with its particular smells that are perceived very often even before walking foot to the port of the island.
Here it is possible to see the Old Forge, the volcanic building that has the fumaroles, not exactly healthy, which can be accessed via a path prepared that is quite tiring if you are not adequately prepared and equipped. In recent times, however, for safety reasons due to an increase in fumarolic activity, access to the summit of the Volcano has been prohibited.
Piano Vulcano still has a fairly active tourist activity especially near the muds and the puddle and in the overlooking sea where, however, in certain points if you are not careful you risk getting burned since there are also active fumaroles (on the sea and on the adjacent beach including the sector adjacent to the pool) and along the streets some shops, bars, and restaurants.
Excellent for lovers of nature and also of minerals as long as they do not expect aesthetic minerals, Vulcano, in the summer season, except perhaps for a few days of August, can be a good idea, personally I think that May and September are the best two months to visit this island (especially in September due to the lower heat with the possibility of going to the beach) and to take walks without excessive crowds, which gradually increase in summer.

[mineralenzo]

Climbing along the slopes of the volcanic building "Forgia Vecchia" to the top of which the altitude reaches 400 meters in the highest part, is not so easy despite a well-maintained path but with sometimes very steep and sunny climbs. but the panoramic view from above amply repays the effort. exactly where you can see the fumes in the photo, there are also minerals of some interest, sulphides and sulphates in particular, sulfur and opal. However, the gases present there are very toxic.

If you were to pass through these parts do not forget to climb the crater perhaps passing through the fumaroles which are quite intense up close and, if you pass quickly, they are not even dangerous, always being careful. Returning to "Vulcano piano" near the port and the village, near the port you will find the mud pool, and here too there are fumaroles, two hills (which are all that remains of an ancient volcanic building) with rocks of various colors due to fumarolytic changes and in part hydrothermal.

[mineralenzo]

Leaving the Forgia, returning to Vulcano piano, you can reach the base of this small volcanic building called Vulcanello by means of an asphalted road, just over 130 meters high. leads inside the crater and on a small mine where alum was extracted until 1888. Interesting excursion from a naturalistic, geological, mineralogical and landscape point of view, not so difficult or complex to access.

[mineralenzo]

Hello, today a journey begins in a sulfur mine, one of the few still accessible and not too dangerous (always paying attention), it is a small mine located in central eastern Sicily, in Mazzarino, Enna and its name is Bubbonia
for now I will stop here, next time I will post other photos inside including some minerals on site

[mineralenzo]

It is certainly interesting to enter these places that have been abandoned for decades and yet give a particular feeling. The sulfur mines have always represented for the Sicilians, something beautiful and ugly at the same time, here many people worked there, and not only adults, but also children who were called carusi, aged between 10 and 16 years who wore from the inside outside the mine of the boulders of sulfur combined with the gangue that weighed from 25 to 50 kilos per lap depending on the physical structure and age of the boy and the daily laps were even more than a dozen

[mineralenzo]

during the excursion, in the vicinity of the exit of the mine location, it is possible to have this type of encounters like this bat

[mineralenzo]

This time I take you to Monreale, a small town 8 km west of Palermo, at an altitude of 310 meters above sea level, which if you have the opportunity to pass by, I highly recommend you visit as the Norman Cathedral is the adjacent cloister were built centuries ago by the Normans who embellished both monuments with beautiful mosaics, and in addition to this there is a villa that has a viewpoint on the south side of the Conca D'oro and on part of Palermo. I close this preamble here.

[mineralenzo]

But in Monreale there is also, since the end of 2017, the year in which it was established, a museum of minerals that is quite interesting both from a mineralogical and petrological point of view with the presence of some fossils and is contained within a large classroom scholastic, the museum is in fact dedicated mainly to young people and novices, however anyone can access it even upon reservation and admission is free.
The Marco Maiorana museum is located within the Antonio Veneziano school of Monreale, Via Kennedy, 2 and is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, from 10 to 12 (data that may be subject to change), next time a virtual internal visit with lots of showcases and minerals.

[mineralenzo]

Let's go inside but before delving into minerals, I would like to say a few words dedicated to the creator of all this: I am referring to Franco Tusa, who in addition to being the founder of the museum, is also director, curator, and also a guide for visitors.
Franco is also the president of the mineralogical association "La Tormalina" and from time to time also organizes excursions for educational-collecting purposes in the surroundings of the province of Palermo, including mines.
Here in the photo we see some micro specimens being viewed under a microscope. The microscope is also available to museum visitors.

[mineralenzo]

Some showcases of the Maiorana Museum

[mineralenzo]

Let's move on to some minerals present inside the museum, which contains both Sicilian and Italian minerals and other classic world locations

[mineralenzo]

Hi, here are some other examples from the museum.