Museo de la Minería del País Vasco

About the museum

In the eighties, after the decline and closure of large companies such as Agruminsa and Altos Hornos de Vizcaya, a group of former miners and residents of the mining towns began to rescue pieces, machines and tools so that a way of life would not be lost. In 1986 the Asociación Cultural Museo Minero began its voluntary work of recovering this heritage, and the rescues from mines, loading bays and furnaces, together with donations from individuals and organisations, gradually expanded the collection.

In 2001 the museum opened in the former slaughterhouse of Gallarta, in Abanto-Zierbena, thanks to the association, the newly created Fundación Museo de la Minería del País Vasco and the collaboration of the town council. Today it is a non-profit organisation dedicated to recovering, conserving, studying and disseminating the history of mining and industrialisation in the Basque Country, above all in the mining area of Bizkaia.

The collection brings together the mining heritage of the area from the late 19th century to almost the present day: work tools, everyday objects, clothing, furniture and documents from the mining hospitals. Highlights include the industrial machinery donated by former workers, the largest collection of mine wagons in Spain, restored by volunteers, more than three hundred iron ores and other minerals from different origins, works of art on mining life, and the room dedicated to Dolores Ibárruri “Pasionaria”, who was born in Gallarta.

Highlights

• Industrial machinery donated by former workers of large Bizkaian companies
• The largest collection of mine wagons in Spain, restored by volunteers
• Pasionaria room dedicated to Dolores Ibárruri, born in Gallarta
• Collection of iron ores: goethite, hematite, limonite and siderite
• Viewpoint over the open-cast Concha II mine and the Facundo Perezagua mining canteen
• Gallery of historical photographs covering more than ninety years of mining history

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente del Museo de la Minería – Tour of the museum’s rooms, with industrial machinery, wagons, minerals, the Pasionaria room, the viewpoint over the Concha II mine and the Facundo Perezagua mining canteen.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Fundación Museo de la Minería del País Vasco

Admission & discounts

Free admission for children under 8, people who arrive by bicycle, members of the museum and of ICOM, unemployed people, teachers, and members of Betizu (up to age 14) and Hirukide (up to age 18); discounts with the Nekatur cards (50%) and the Enkarterri cards (€1 off). Audio guides are free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Animals are not admitted, except guide dogs. The website gives no further information on physical accessibility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Workshops for schoolchildren and children, such as the drillers’ workshop (ages 8 to 12, with gloves, goggles and a helmet), the minerals and fossils workshop (ages 8 to 10) and “Oficios con historia” (ages 5 to 8), as well as mining holiday camps for children aged 8 to 12. Guided visits admit children from age 5.

Getting there & parking

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