The modern quarries of Fontanabuona
The Industrial Revolution and the Decline of San Giacomo
Towards the end of the 19th century, while the rest of the world was preparing for the industrial revolution, the slate basin of Mount San Giacomo, despite its position close to Lavagna and its long tradition, stagnated in the crisis. After World War I, few quarrymen returned to work, marking the beginning of the end for this region.
The Different Fortune of Cicagna and Val Fontanabuona
The history of Cicagna and Val Fontanabuona, however, takes a different and more promising direction from the beginning. Here, larger companies, led by traders rather than quarrymen, acquired deposits, skipped commercial intermediaries and adopted more rational extraction systems.
The Success of Fontanabuona
The Fontanabuona quarries, exploited by major companies since the 1870s, stood out for their rational organization and use of modern technologies. The less disturbed soil and the presence of regular benches of excellent slate favored the success of these companies, which achieved profits, investments and technological progress.
Technological Innovation
Fontanabuona’s businesses adopted electricity, engines and slate processing machines, with cutting-edge factories built downstream. This allowed them to deal directly with customers without intermediaries, while Lavagna became just a port of call. In the meantime, in the San Giacomo quarries, traditional methodologies continued to be used.
Separation and Decline
There was never contact between the two basins, with Cicagna thriving and the San Giacomo sinking into extinction. Each area followed its own path, with dynamic development on one side and slow decline on the other.
Sources
Savioli L., “Tradizione e storia della lavagna”, in Mannoni T. (a c. di), “Ardesia. Materia, Cultura, Futuro”, Genova, Sagep Editrice, 1995
Porcella M., “Gli uomini dell’ardesia”, in Centro di Documentazione della Civica Biblioteca di San Colombiano Certenoli (a c. di), “L’ardesia della Fontanabuona e le sculture di Pietro Burzi”, Chiavari, Grafica Piemme, 2017, collana “Quaderni del Lascito Cuneo”
Beniscelli G., “Ardesia: pietra di Liguria”, Genova, SIAG, 1972
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