Museo delle miniere di Montecatini Val di Cecina
Mining park of what was the largest copper mine in Europe in the 19th century, visited with a guide: the Alfredo shaft, galleries and former workshops.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Montecatini Val di Cecina mine is an old copper mine about one kilometre from the historic centre. It remained active until 1907 and during the 19th century it was the largest copper mine in Europe. The Montecatini company, one of Europe’s major industrial firms, was born here and later merged into Montedison.
The museum is laid out in the mining park, where you can see the 19th-century structures linked to extraction, the former washeries, part of the galleries that can be walked through, and the former offices of the Direzione (management). The guided route starts from the first extraction shaft, dating from the 1830s, and climbs to the symbol of the site, the Alfredo shaft, 320 metres deep, with its bucket hoisting system still intact.
After the old carpentry workshop you enter the underground world and explore part of the main gallery, known as the “pancia della balena” (belly of the whale). The visit ends with the former management offices, the laboratory for chemical analyses and the former washeries. On set days and times it is also possible to walk the discenderia, the access gallery to the underground workings, with 200 steps down to about 100 metres depth.
Highlights
- Alfredo shaft, 320 metres deep, with its bucket hoisting system
- Galleries that can be walked, including the “pancia della balena” (belly of the whale)
- Former washeries, workshops and management offices
- Discenderia of 200 steps down to about 100 metres depth
- Site of the historic copper mine behind the Montecatini company
Permanent exhibition
- Parco minerario di Montecatini Val di Cecina – Guided visit to the Alfredo shaft, the galleries, the former workshops, the former management offices and the former washeries.
- Founded
- 2003
- Operated by
- Itinera Progetti e Ricerche (cooperativa)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,200
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 12: €7; under 6 free. |
| Families | €252 adults and 1 child (6–12 years): €25; 2 adults and 2 children: €31; 2 adults and 3 children: €37 with a promotional code. |
| Mining park and discenderia (about two hours, max 8 people) | €16Adults and young people from age 12; group of 8 people €112 with a promotional code. |
Admission only with a guided tour of the mining park. A 10% discount for employees and subscribers of Autolinee Toscane with a promotional code.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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 mining park route presents no particular difficulties but includes stairs; the discenderia is not accessible to people with reduced mobility or to children under 12. Closed shoes are compulsory (trekking shoes for the discenderia).
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €25 · 2 adults and 1 child (6–12 years): €25; 2 adults and 2 children: €31; 2 adults and 3 children: €37 with a promotional code. |
The mining park visit is suitable for children from age 4; family discounts are available.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Entry is only with a guided visit booked online. The mining park suits adults and children from age 4; the discenderia is for adults and young people aged 12 and over, accompanied. Small dogs are allowed in the mining park, carried in arms in the galleries, but not in the discenderia. |
