The Muggio valley ethnographic museum, in cooperation with SUPSI and the association of the most beautiful Villages in Switzerland, organised the sixth meeting of the European research project ‘Underground4value’ from 7 to 10 September in Mendrisio (Switzerland). Experts from 30 countries shared knowledge and experience on the management and enhancement of underground heritage.

As part of the meeting, a morning open to the public was also held to present the Mendrisiotto’s underground heritage. Speakers included Samuele Cavadini (mayor of Mendrisio), Silvio Bindella (president of the museo etnografico), Francesco Cerea (cultural director of the most beautiful Villages in Switzerland association), Mark Bertogliati (curator of the museo etnografico), Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli (Swiss Speleology Society), Luca Zulliger (monte San Giorgio fossil museum), Meryem Bingul Bulut (Kırıkkale University) and Giuseppe Pace (COST Action Chair). Given the international nature of the project, the speeches were held in English. The event was sponsored by Mendrisiotto Turismo.

Among the elements of the region that are in need of research, care and scientific, cultural and tourist enhancement are the nevère and cisterns of the Muggio valley, the caves of our karst environments, the fossils of monte S. Giorgio, the extraction galleries in the Breggia gorge park and the mural paintings in underground environments. On Saturday, there was a guided hike on Monte Generoso with a visit to the Bear Cave and the Muggio valley Nevère.