Museo di Arte Contemporanea SottoSale
Museum of contemporary art in a rock salt mine still in operation in Petralia Soprana, with 40 salt sculptures from the Biennali di scultura.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is located in the Italkali rock salt mine at Petralia Soprana (gallery 3, second level), one of the largest salt mines in Europe, where extraction has been carried out for centuries. It arose from the initiative of the association SottoSale, which organises the Biennale of rock salt sculpture: the works of each edition enter the permanent collection, which is housed in disused sectors of the mine.
The collection comprises forty salt sculptures created in the six editions of the Biennale between 2011 and 2023. The route also includes a chapel dedicated to Saint Barbara and industrial archaeology finds.
Visits are guided by the association, last about an hour and follow a route of around 400 metres that illustrates the art, the extraction activity and the geology. So as not to interrupt work in the mine, visits are limited to a few days a month.
Highlights
- Forty rock salt sculptures from the Biennales 2011–2023
- Art museum in a salt mine still in operation
- Chapel dedicated to Saint Barbara
- Guided route through art, extraction and geology
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Young people aged 12 to 18 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
Prices shown are for 2024; visits are free for residents and for Italkali employees.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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 mine is not accessible to people with motor disabilities; the route may be demanding for those who suffer from claustrophobia.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+
For safety reasons, children under 12 may not enter the mine.
Getting there & parking
The mine is reached after a long journey through an isolated area; the museum recommends a road map, as satellite navigation may not be reliable.
Get directionsAmenities & 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. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Photography | Permitted; tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. |
| Good to know | Booking is compulsory. The helmet is provided by the association, and a liability waiver must be signed before entering. Guided visits are permitted from the age of 12 upwards. |
