Industrial archaeology and tourism have become a powerful combination, transforming former factories, mines and power stations into unique cultural attractions. By preserving these sites from decay and adapting them for new uses, often for the benefit of local communities, this approach gives a new lease of life to places that might otherwise be lost. Industrial tourism offers a unique opportunity to explore the connections between history and landscape, architecture and photography, often revealing new ways of understanding a territory and the impact of human activity on its development.
These are places where communities and industrial landscapes grew together, shaped one another and became inseparably linked. At Miniera Montevecchio, this heritage can still be discovered in the buildings and industrial structures, together with the memories of the people who designed, built and worked in them. The aim is to give existing structures a sustainable new lease of life, making the most of what has already been built and what can be reused without losing its identity. This approach creates opportunities for visitors to engage with the site in a more meaningful way, going beyond the traditional guided tour towards a more immersive and participatory experience. A pioneering initiative in this field is the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH), a European network of industrial heritage sites established in 1999.
Certified by the Council of Europe as a Cultural Route in 2019, ERIH connects some of Europe's most significant industrial heritage sites, promoting the preservation, interpretation and accessibility of Europe's industrial history and the tangible and intangible heritage of former industrial sites, regardless of their sector, from textiles and metal mining and processing to energy production and mechanical engineering. Today, the network brings together almost 1,900 industrial heritage sites across more than 30 countries. Among them, approximately 100 have been designated as Anchor Points — sites of particular historical and cultural significance that represent the highlights of Europe's industrial heritage. Eight of these are located in Italy, including the vast mining complex of Miniera Montevecchio (click here).
ERIH features 16 main thematic routes, grouping participating sites according to their industrial sector or specific function. Montevecchio belongs to the Mining Route, dedicated to sites where industrial activity focused on extracting the Earth's natural resources, from coal to metals. Whether you wish to join a scheduled guided tour, arrange a private visit focused on a particular aspect of industrial heritage, or organise a photography shoot, we would be delighted to help you explore the site from your own perspective. Individual visitors and organised groups alike are welcome. Simply let us know which aspects of industrial history interest you most, and we will be happy to tailor the tour and its storytelling to your interests, offering new perspectives, insights and details to enrich your experience.