Museo de la Mina de Arnao

About the museum

The Arnao mine, on the coast of Castrillón, is one of Spain's most emblematic mining heritage sites: the oldest coal mining operation on the Iberian Peninsula, the oldest vertical shaft in Asturias and the only submarine mine in Europe. In 1591 the friar Agustín Montero found a “black stone” in the cliffs and asked the king for permission to extract it. In 1833 the Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas de Carbón (Royal Asturian Coal Mining Company) was founded, which introduced innovations such as the first vertical shaft, and in 1853 a zinc factory joined. In 1915, after renewed water seepage, the mine closed.

In 2007, on the initiative of Castrillón town council and with strong public support, the restoration of the complex began: the shaft was reopened and the first galleries were rehabilitated.

The visit has two parts. The interpretation centre, set up in the former mining building which from 1915 served as a workers' casino, explains the history of the mine with audiovisual resources, panels and images. The original 19th-century galleries, reached by descending the vertical shaft with its headframe (castillete), which is declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest), are always visited with a guide, in small groups. There is also a guided visit to the Arnao workers' village.

Highlights

• Only submarine mine in Europe
• Headframe declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest)
• Descent into the shaft and century-old galleries, always with a guide
• Interpretation centre in the former workers' casino
• Guided visit to the Arnao workers' village

Permanent exhibitions

• Centro de interpretación. Entender la mina – Exhibition with audiovisual resources, panels and images on the history of the mine, the founding of the Belgian company and the life of the first coal miners.
• Galerías. Sentir la mina – Guided descent down the vertical shaft and walk through 19th-century galleries lined with brick, closed since 1915.

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Castrillón

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Wednesdays from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, free unguided visit to the headframe (checking availability and booking are recommended).

Admission includes the museum, the headframe and the descent to the 19th-century galleries. Card payments are not accepted.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational and leisure activity for children, “Minerinos y minerinas”, which combines history and geological landscape.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers: not available

There are no ticket desks; visitors are advised not to bring backpacks or bulky items.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit