Museo del carbone
Museum in the former Serbariu mine in Carbonia: lamp room with an exhibition on coal and a guided visit to the reconstructed underground gallery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Serbariu mining site, active from 1937 to 1964, shaped the economy of the Sulcis and was one of Italy’s main energy resources in the 1930s–1950s. The complex has been restored and renovated for museum and educational purposes, and today houses the Museo del Carbone.
The classic visit comprises three spaces. In the lamp room there is the permanent exhibition on the history of coal, the mine and the town of Carbonia, with a collection of miners’ lamps, tools, instruments, everyday objects, photographs, documents, period films and video interviews with miners. The underground gallery shows the evolution of the mining techniques used at Serbariu from the 1930s to its closure, in reconstructed spaces with period tools and large machinery still in use in active mines. The winding room houses the machinery with which the cages were operated in the shafts.
The same buildings of the former mine also house the PAS “E.A. Martel” Palaeontological Museum, a local history documentation centre, and university and research facilities.
Highlights
- Guided tour of the underground gallery
- Lamp room with lamps, tools and video interviews with miners
- Winding room with the machinery of the shafts
- Single ticket with other museums and sites in Carbonia
Permanent exhibitions
- Lampisteria: la storia del carbone, della miniera e di Carbonia – Permanent exhibition with miners’ lamps, tools, photographs, documents, period films and video interviews with miners, currently being partly rearranged.
- Galleria sotterranea – Reconstructed spaces showing the evolution of coal-mining techniques at Serbariu, visitable with a guide.
- Founded
- 2006
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Individual visitors aged 6 to 12 and over 65s, groups and school parties, holders of the Carta Giovani (EYCA and Carta Giovani Sardegna), TCI and ACI members, the SYC! and ASSOCARD circuits and other partners |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 5 · Reduced rate for ages 6 to 12; free admission under 6s. |
| Seniors | €6Reduced rate for over 65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeVisitors with disabilities are entitled to free admission. |
| Groups (25+ people) | €6 per personGroups of at least 25 people; for school groups the ticket is €5 per student. One free accompanying adult for every 25 members, and two free teachers per class. |
| Carbonia single ticket (valid 60 days) | €15One visit each to the Museo del Carbone, the PAS “E.A. Martel” Palaeontological Museum, the Parco archeologico di Monte Sirai and the Museo archeologico Villa Sulcis. |
The ticket price includes the guided visit underground.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The underground route is partly accessible to visitors with disabilities; because of the ongoing works it is not always possible to guarantee a suitable route for mobility impairments, so it is advisable to call the museum to check feasibility.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
For schools, guided tours of about an hour and a half are offered and, from October to March and by booking, educational workshops can be combined with the visit (ticket €5 per pupil, free for teachers). Children under 6 do not pay.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Carbonia Serbariu (stazione) · 800 m
Carbonia Serbariu station, an intermodal hub for trains, buses and city minibuses, is about 800 m from the museum.
By car from Cagliari, take the SS 130 towards Iglesias, exit at Villamassargia and Carbonia, then continue on the SS 126 towards Sant’Antioco until the signs for the Grande Miniera di Serbariu.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check: not available
The café, bookshop and conference room in the lamp room will resume operation when the works are completed. The museum does not offer a cloakroom or left-luggage service.
Events & venue rental
The museum has a conference room in the lamp room, temporarily out of use due to the works.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Underground guided tours last about an hour, start at fixed times and require booking online or by phone; they are available in Italian, English and French (booking is essential for English and French). Comfortable clothing and sports shoes are recommended. Dogs and other animals are not currently admitted. |
