Stay green !
Stay green if you can, despite the approaching Autumn. Zurich, November 2016. Click each picture to enlarge
What lies around a Nat Geo’s Destination of a lifetime: Aescher of Appenzellerland
Among 225 listed Destinations of a lifetime, the Swiss Berghaus Aescher of Ebenalp got the cover of National Geographic. What lies above and below this mountain hotel? Click each picture to magnify.
The path to Berghaus Aescher starts at the base of Ebenalp, in the village of Wasserauen. From there, the majestic Ageteplatte peaks southwards.
 
A cablecar helps the ascent to Ebenalp: up there the view reaches the Austrian alps!
A deep top-down view into Appenzellerland from Ebenalp: the Altmann peak (South) and Hoher Kasten (North)
 
The path to Berghaus Aescher clings to Ebenalp cliffs …
… do not watch down (!) into the valley … and safely reach Berghaus Aescher! Just 1 hour and half by car from Zurich: I could not miss visiting it in these colorful Autumn days.
Laveria Lamarmora: a place of mind
There is a weak outlined path starting west of the ‘906. Walk it down, take your time facing the sun towards the rocky shores. There, washed by the sea, is the place of mind of Nebida.
Here no stones are washed anymore, no windmills pump sea water up to the tank. No railway carries the mineral to Masua. But they are all still there.
Walls and fallen bricks still separate outdoor and indoor, but no other noises than wind fill the factory nowadays.
Between the red arches of bricks. Through the rusty metal wagons left. On the fallen floors.
The geometries of the old factory puzzle the natural panorama into sea blue and rock yellow pieces.
This is the stone-washing factory Lamarmora. This is Nebida, Sulcis, Sardegna.
Industrial soul of Sulcis: rear windows
This is the fifth and last part of Monteponi rebirth, a photo reportage on the mining site of Monteponi (Sardegna, Italy). Here you find the second and third and fourth parts. What is next, after that through this photo reportage several rear windows were open to observe the courtyard of Monteponi? A book? A photo exhibition? Not enough to preserve this archeological industrial site. Hopefully, a first step to speed up the intervention of the city hall of Iglesias, region Sardegna and regional founds from the European Union (FESR) to preserve this area before it is too late. If you liked the reportage, there is a book online with more picture waiting to be ordered… at support of the photographer too.
Central warehouses (1890) for mining tools and machines. Upper level of the lead foundry (1892)
Electrolysis builduing: entrance to the offices (1925). White zinc complex (1914)
Window of the of the Miner Association “E. Ferrari” (1920). Sulfuric acid complex (1928)
Inside the sulfuric acid complex (1928) and lower level of the lead foundry (1892)
All pictures and text copyright of Lorenzo Borghi. Contact me at artborghi@gmail.com for picture use permission and initiatives.
Industrial soul of Sulcis: giants
This is the fourth part of Monteponi rebirth, a photo reportage on the mining site of Monteponi (Sardegna, Italy). Here you find the second and third parts. The industrial area of Monteponi is wide but also tall. Layers of tunnels and rooms below ground make the exploration of the site dangerous. Often buildings consist of several floors, mostly not accessible. Buildings here are like giants with feet of clay.
Stone washing area Mameli (1893) seen from the state road SS126. Waelz smoke capacitors, to condense smokes out of the furnaces (right).
Waelz furnace (back, 1967): 60 meter long and 4 meter wide. Detail of the smoke capacitors (right).
Lead foundry (1925) and its several, deep, shaky floors. White zinc complex (1914) : here zinc was distilled as oxide for chemical use.
All pictures and text copyright of Lorenzo Borghi. Contact me at artborghi@gmail.com for picture use permission and initiatives.
