The Musée Départementale des Merveilles presents a satellite exhibition to the temporary exhibition "Mondes souterrains" rich in information, visuals and curiosities.
Many legends from the Middle Ages, which are widespread in the Alps, mention the existence of small miners, guardians of treasures, who are part of the "little people" including dwarfs, elves, fairies, goblins, gnomes...
They live underground or in caves, are secretive, clever...and seem to master a magical knowledge that would allow them to extract and transform extraordinary riches from the depths of the earth.
But who are they? Are they characters from tales and legends who use magic and all sorts of spells to preserve their secrets? Or are they small humans who are considered to be outstanding prospectors, able to sneak into narrow mine galleries?
Over the centuries, they have maintained the mystery. During their lifetime, they cultivated the imagination of their contemporaries. Myth or reality?
They live underground or in caves, are secretive, clever...and seem to master a magical knowledge that would allow them to extract and transform extraordinary riches from the depths of the earth.
But who are they? Are they characters from tales and legends who use magic and all sorts of spells to preserve their secrets? Or are they small humans who are considered to be outstanding prospectors, able to sneak into narrow mine galleries?
Over the centuries, they have maintained the mystery. During their lifetime, they cultivated the imagination of their contemporaries. Myth or reality?
