Centro espositivo Parco minerario di Cogne
Exhibition centre in the Villaggio Minatori (Miners’ Village) in Cogne on the Aosta Valley mines and the life of the miners, with a simulation of the experience in the tunnels.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The magnetite mines of Cogne have a documented history dating back to 1432 and were permanently closed in 1979. In the 20th century they became Italy’s most important iron deposit: in 1907 the Società Anonima Miniere di Cogne was founded, and in 1910 construction began on the mining village of Colonna, at 2,425 metres, with a church, cinema and canteen. In 1927 the mines were nationalised, and in 1940 about a thousand miners extracted 350,000 tonnes of ore.
The Villaggio Minatori, on the edge of the village of Cogne and also reachable on foot, now houses the exhibition centre of the Parco minerario (mining park). The route presents some of the Aosta Valley mines, the hard life of the miners, the stages of extraction, transport and processing of the ore, and the places the minerals came from: Brusson, Cogne, La Thuile, Ollomont and Saint-Marcel. It also offers a simulated experience of life in the mine, with tunnels, cold and explosions.
Since 2017 guided tours of the tunnels of Costa del Pino have been possible, with a vintage little train covering 1.5 km of tunnel. The village also houses facilities of the Fondation Grand Paradis and the Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso.
Highlights
- Simulation of the mine experience with tunnels, cold and explosions
- Aosta Valley mines of Brusson, Cogne, La Thuile, Ollomont and Saint-Marcel
- Daily life and work of the miners
- Guided tour of the tunnels of Costa del Pino with a vintage little train
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,700
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8under 14s, over 65s, groups of more than 8 people, school groups, teachers, guests of partner hotels, holders of the Aosta Valley Card and partner agreements; Aosta Valley residents in June and September |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 3 · Free admission under 4s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
| Guided visit to the Cogne mine (Costa del Pino) | €20Reduced: €15 (under 14s, Card Amico di Cogne, groups); about 2 hours, vintage little train included, online booking. |
Free admission also for holders of the Abbonamento Musei, children under 4 and group escorts.
Accessibility
- 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 exhibition centre is declared fully accessible to people with motor, sensory and cognitive disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 5+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
The guided mine visit is recommended from the age of 5; children must be accompanied.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking behind the new building of the mining museum, at the Villaggio Minatori (signposted on site).
The Villaggio Minatori is a short walk from the centre of Cogne, along the old Gimillan road, and can also be reached on foot.
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. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The guided mine visit departs from Costa del Pino every day at 10:30 and 14:30 with a qualified guide; helmets and headlamps are provided; booking is online. Inside the mine the temperature is about 7°C: trekking shoes, a jacket and long trousers are recommended. |
