Pozo Sotón

About the museum

The Pozo Sotón, in Linares (San Martín del Rey Aurelio), is part of the history of Asturian coal. After the first surveys of the 18th century and the concessions of the mid-19th century, the company Duro acquired the Santa Ana mines in 1900 to supply its furnaces. Between 1917 and 1923 the shaft was prepared and deepened and its main structures were built; to do so the Nalón river had to be diverted. In 1954 the engine house was enlarged, and from 1967 the shaft has been publicly owned, as part of HUNOSA.

Extraction ceased in 2014, and that same year the headframes (castilletes), the réter and the engine house with the union office were declared Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest), with monument status. The complex is among the hundred most representative elements of Spain's industrial heritage and has been open to visitors since 2015. Today it is possible to take tours inside the mine, on foot and on the personnel train, as well as an outdoor route through the buildings and educational galleries. In addition, the former washroom building houses the Centro de Experiencias y Memoria de la Minería (Mining Experience and Memory Centre), an interactive museum on the history of mining and of the HUNOSA company.

Highlights

• Cage descent to level 8 (386 m) and passage through the La Jota chimney
• Outdoor route past the castilletes, the réter and the engine house
• Interactive museum with the motto “Se puede tocar” (you can touch it)
• Memorial to deceased miners and machinery park
• Mining escape room and theatrical tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Centro de Experiencias y Memoria de la Minería – Interactive museum in the former washroom building recreating mining life: the miner, firedamp (grisú), workplace accidents, company shops and the work of women in mining. Around 90% of the objects come from closed mine shafts.
• Memorial minero y parque de maquinaria – Outdoor space with mining machinery and a memorial to the people who died working in the mine.

Founded

1917

Operated by

HUNOSA

Admission & discounts

The admission prices refer to the museum. Visits inside the mine (short and long) have their own rates, which are available when booking. Prices for the outdoor visit are given on the outdoor route page of the official website.

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 guided outdoor route is not adapted for people with reduced mobility: there are sections of track, changes in level and uneven ground. The visit inside the mine requires basic physical fitness.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum presents itself with the motto “Se puede tocar” and offers school visits with the character Carbonín, family activities, workshops, camps, mining-themed birthday parties and a mining escape room.

Getting there & parking

The shaft is at Sotón, in the locality of Linares, which belongs to San Martín del Rey Aurelio.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Multipurpose hall of 1,000 m² in the former washroom building, divisible into areas with curtains or panels. Available for congresses, conventions, presentations, company lunches, food fairs, exhibitions and team-building activities. Information at eventos@pozosoton.es.

Plan your visit