Asturias is a region of contrasts. With its green landscapes, majestic mountains and rugged coasts, there’s also a richness hidden under its surface that has influenced its history and culture: its mining soul. If you’re looking for a different way of exploring this unique land, why not don a helmet and step into the fascinating world of mining?
Come with us on this tour through unforgettable experiences that will make you feel like a real miner, discovering Asturias from a perspective full of history, nature and adventure.
experience the life of a miner in Asturias
Museum of Mining and Industry (MUMI): a journey into the heart of coal
MUMI is much more than a museum: it immerses you in the life of mining. This space, in the town of El Entrego, allows you to take a tour of a simulated mine and experience what everyday life was like for the coal workers. You can see up close the tools, the mining trains and the machinery used in the Asturian mining industry. A must for anyone keen to understand the legacy of this region.
Pozo Sotón: adrenaline and realism underground
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, the Pozo Sotón mine is the ideal place. In San Martín del Rey Aurelio, this mine enables you to descend to a depth of 600 metres and experience firsthand what it’s like to work underground. Guided by former miners, you’ll hear true stories and feel the atmosphere that for years marked the lives of many Asturian families. An experience that combines history and adventure.
Valle de Samuño Mining Ecomuseum: nature and mining hand in hand
In the Samuño Valley, near Langreo, is this ecomuseum that combines a trip on a mining train with a visit to an old mine. This trip enables you to enjoy the natural surroundings as you learn the secrets of Asturian mining. The scenery in the valley is spectacular, and the train journey is great for all ages.
Teverga Prehistory Park: mining and rock art
Whilst not strictly related to modern mining, this park takes you much further back in time, to the age in which the first inhabitants of Asturias left their mark in the rock. Exploring the caves and admiring the reproductions of rock paintings will bring you closer to the ancestral use of the region’s underground cavities.
The As Minas Green Path: nature and culture outdoors
For those who enjoy walking, the old mining routes have been turned into green paths, offering stunning landscapes and a glimpse of the region’s industrial past. In the area of Vegadeo, in the west of Asturias, the As Minas Green Path combines nature and culture, the perfect spot for enjoying a peaceful walk as you learn about the mining heritage of Asturias.
Mining festivals and traditions: soak up the local culture
Asturias also celebrates its mining heritage with festivals and events that bring its streets to life. The Feast of Santa Bárbara, the patron saint of miners, is one of the most important and is celebrated every year in Mieres on 4 December, with traditional activities, music and food. It’s the perfect opportunity for seeing how passionate and proud the Asturians are about their mining history.
Exploring Asturias from its mining heart is an experience that combines adventure, history and a connection with nature. You’ll not only experience its landscapes but also gain an understanding of the identity of a region that was built through blood, sweat and tears at the coalface.
So come and discover this different side of Asturias, for an experience that will stay with you forever!
