KLANG 2
MINES, OVENS, FORGES, SWORDS
What is KLANG2
KLANG2 ITAT-46-014 is a project funded by the Interreg VI-A Italy-Austria 2021–2027 programme, designed to continue and expand upon the work begun with the project “KLANG. Swords of Lions and Eagles” ITAT2039, which was carried out with great success under the 2014–2021 programme.
At its heart lies the research, promotion and dissemination of the extraordinary sword-making tradition that developed between the Late Middle Ages and the 17th century in the eastern Alpine region.
Having traced, studied and retraced the history of metal extraction, its processing and transformation into blades right through to sale, involving the areas of Colle Santa Lucia, Belluno, Santa Giustina, Maniago and Innsbruck, the project now also extends to the Feltrino, Alto Agordino, Tyrol and South Tyrol regions, areas that formed part of a genuine proto-industrial circuit of iron extraction and processing, smelting and the production of bladed weapons.
Total cost €620,319.15 – EU funding €496,255.32
Klang2
A cultural journey that explores the intertwining of economies, trade and shared knowledge between Veneto, Friuli, South Tyrol and Tyrol, and which aims to:
COMPLETE
the study of sword production in the Alpine region, with particular attention to mines, smelting furnaces and metalworking techniques.
ENRICH
the scientific documentation with new archival research, material analysis and historical investigations.
STRENGTHEN
the tourism and cultural appeal of the areas involved, by creating a ‘slow’ itinerary that brings together mines, forges, museums, collections and villages.
ENGAGE
local communities, promoting their tangible and intangible heritage and making them an active part of the project.
Activities and initiatives
The project includes the following activities:
Studies of artefacts from excavations, museums and private collections.
Scientific analysis of ferrous materials and the experimental replication of a medieval sword, crafted using the same original techniques.
Research into historical, toponymic and iconographic sources.
Fitting out of a new exhibition room at the Ladin Museum Fodom.
Use of augmented reality and inclusive tools (tactile models, virtual reconstructions).
Free guided tours and educational activities for schools.
The project partners
KLANG2 is the result of a collaboration between Italian and Austrian institutions:
Comune di
Feltre
Comune di
Livinallongo
Circolo Culutura e
Stampa Bellunese
Istituto di Archeologia
Università di Innsbruc
Istitut Cultural Ladin
Cesa de Jan
di Colle Santa Lucia
Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi
Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia
Associate partners
Comune di
Belluno
Museum Ladin
Ciastel de Tor
Each partner contributes their own expertise to a project that brings together research, culture and tourism.
PARTNERS AND ACTIVITIES
Below are KLANG2’s partners.
Mines, furnaces, forges, swords
FELTRE MUNICIPALITY – Lead partner
Design and delivery of educational activities at sites of interest in the town of Feltre and at the municipal museums; organisation of a temporary exhibition in Feltre to disseminate the results; analysis of ironworking and sword production in the area; collaboration on the organisation and management of the cross-border event in Feltre.
Research for the cross-border exhibition and for the itinerary in the Feltre area.
BELLUNO CULTURE AND PRESS CLUB
Production of a promotional video for the project; creation of promotional material to publicise the project’s activities; drafting, graphic design and printing of the itinerary guide; translation into Italian and German of all promotional and informational materials; GPS mapping of sites of interest and drafting of itinerary sheets; collaboration on the organisation and management of the cross-border event in Feltre.
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF INNSBRUCK
Production of educational materials and videos for use in schools and universities. Translation services for project partners.
Consultancy and support for the creation of the cross-border exhibition.
Archival research on the iron mines in the project area. Research into sword production in the Feltrino area. Survey and documentation of the iron mines and the production of bladed weapons in the project area. Archaeological survey of an iron smelting furnace located in the project area.
LADIN INSTITUTE CESA DE JAN
Development of exhibition content for the Fodom Ladin Museum, relating to the ‘history’ section. Specifically, the following scale models will be produced:
a model of a typical forge with a hammer, which can be operated a tactile model of Andraz Castle, designed for use by blind people.
At Andraz Castle, the aim is to enhance the research findings through two types of intervention, both designed to aid understanding of how the smelting furnace within the walls operates. The plan is to create a scale model of the smelting furnace that can be touched by blind people.
For everyone else, an augmented reality system will be developed which, using tablets, will help visitors understand the actual dimensions of the furnace and how it works. Guided tours with educational activities and free demonstrations will also be offered; similarly, during the opening periods of the two museums (summer months), demonstrations and activities will be offered to the public, all relating to the project’s areas of focus.
Finally, excursions will be offered with qualified guides and trained staff, providing the opportunity to walk the ancient Iron Route and visit the sites investigated through the project, including the forges in the Renaz area (near Soraruaz).
DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES AND NANOSYSTEMS, CA’ FOSCARI UNIVERSITY OF VENICE
The research activities to be carried out within the scope of the project are as follows: characterisation of the structure and composition of ferrous alloys (cast iron and steel) sampled from artefacts and objects of various origins (archaeological excavations, museums, repositories, private collections) found within the project’s reference area (samples of these alloys will be subjected to analysis using the diagnostic equipment available in the department); experimentation aimed at qualitatively replicating the compositional qualities and chemical-physical properties detected in the ferrous alloys under investigation; reconstruction of a sword blade based on a find, using the same techniques and materials employed between the Middle Ages and the modern era in the project’s area of focus.