Mines Museum
Montecatini Val di Cecina (PI)
The mine of Montecatini Val di Cecina is an ancient copper mine located about one km from the historical center. Remained active until 1907 was during the nineteenth century the largest copper mine in Europe. Here was born the company Montecatini, one of the largest European industries, then merged into the famous Montedison.
For visitors, it is an opportunity for a fascinating journey to learn about mining techniques and the stories of the miners. Today the visitor can admire the nineteenth-century structures related to mining, the former Laverie, part of the galleries that can be walked, the former offices of the Management.
THE MUSEUM IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND
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CONTACTS
Mine Secretariat — Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. / 3 p.m. — 7 p.m.
Itinera Secretariat — Monday to Friday 9 a.m. — 1 p.m. / 3 p.m. — 6 p.m.
(+39) 0588 31026
(+39) 0586 894563
The visit itinerary
Starting from the first extraction well of the 30s of the nineteenth century, we will go up to its symbol tower, the Alfredo well with its 320 meters depth and its extraction system with tubs still intact.
After passing through the old carpentry we then enter the fascinating underground world and can explore a part of the main gallery also known as “belly of the whale”.
After visiting the ex management offices and the laboratory for chemical analyses, the guided tour of the Mining Park will end outdoors in the premises of the ex-mineral washing plant.
It is also possible to walk along the route of the Mine Descent, the access tunnel to the mine’s underground, on defined days and times: a 200 small steps route that reaches a depth of about 100 metres.
Types of guided tours
Guided tour of the Mining Park
Alfredo Shaft, gallery and ex workshops. Duration of the guided tour is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The route does not present any particular difficulties. Suitable for all adults and children of at least 4 years of age. It is compulsory to wear closed shoes and to bring something to cover oneself when walking through the gallery. There are stairs along the route. Small dogs may enter but must be held during the gallery tour.
Guided tour of the Mining Park and Mine Descent
Alfredo Shaft, gallery, ex workshops and mine descent. Duration of guided tour is approximately two hours.
For up to 8 people.
In addition to visiting the Mining Park the itinerary includes a descent via, a staircase to a depth of about 100 metres (mine descent). The route is not accessible to persons with reduced mobility or those unable to move independently; it is only accessible to children aged 12 and over if accompanied by at least one adult. It is mandatory to wear trekking shoes and to bring something to cover oneself for walking through the gallery. Animals are not allowed.
Guided tour of the Mining Park, Wind Farm, Muraglione Dam and Oratory of Santa Barbara
Duration of the guided tour about three and a half hours.
Itinerary of historical-naturalistic interest. During the route it will be possible to observe both the first public-owned wind farm placed on the hills overlooking the mine at an altitude of about 600 meters and the Muraglione dam, a complex for damming the water necessary for washing the extracted mineral, reopened to the public since April 2023 and set in a beautiful natural habitat. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Oratory of Santa Barbara, of which the earliest records date back to 1660 dedicated to the cult of the Madona of Caporciano. Rebuilt in 1789, in 1842 the oratory was dedicated to the patron saint of miners, Santa Barbara. Inside is the painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a valuable work by Mexican painter Juan Rodríguez Xuárez.
Guided tour by reservation only for groups of minimum 20 participants.
Contact the museum. Cost Adults € 15.00 — Children 6 to 12 years old € 10.00
We spent a very interesting day, the guide was very very prepared and explained everything to us. We will be back next year.
Beautiful place and wonderful landscape.
Here we understand that human ingenuity has no limits if it wants to. The guide is very prepared. Certainly interesting for children too.
A suggestive place nestled in the hills of the upper Cecina valley. The galleries and the district are well preserved and maintained. Perfect for children and families.
Beautiful. Very good guide.
Definitely a place to visit. Rich in history and well explained by knowledgeable staff.
Very interesting place and prepared and engaging guide. Willing to move a booking to the last.
Beautiful experience. The mine is a glimpse of the past that is really worth seeing. The staff are very friendly and show a great passion for what they do. External visit but above all visit also inside the mine excavations. Very nice.
A journey through time to discover hard work accompanied by a trained and engaging guide. Highly recommended for adults and children.
I recommend you to go and see the museum and the mine, two hours in the company of the guide Andrea explains very well.
Beautiful visit for adults and children. It lasts about an hour mostly outdoors and for a short distance in the tunnel. Our guide Mariangela was competent on the mine and on the territory and also very nice. Recommended.
Must see, highly recommend! A unique experience. Excursion suitable for adults and children.
Sunday morning spent in excellent company immersed in history between the early nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: prepared guide, you would stay hours listening to her. Sublime landscape, to go back absolutely.
Italiano