Asturias has been, since Prehistoric times, a source of resources and inventions closely linked to industrial activities, thanks to the richness and magnitude of its nature, as well as the courage and ingenuity of its people
Asturias is a destination where nature is the backdrop that frames all the beauties of this territory, including cultural ones. Precisely among the great cultural attractions of this land is the industrial heritage, in which the historical mining remnants stand out, especially in some areas. Hence the slogan and brand "Asturias, mining nature", which encompasses over thirty spaces and resources that have been enhanced from a tourist perspective.
Asturias is one of the richest territories for enjoying industrial tourism. It boasts an impressive heritage from prehistoric times to the most recent, as the activities related to industrial facilities have been diverse and varied.
Moreover, with the immense advantage that all of them have developed in privileged natural and scenic environments, allowing you to discover unique places and corners. And, of course, to delve into fascinating human stories that have contributed to the evolution and improvement of living conditions for humanity.
Thus, the footprint of industrial heritage in Asturias is the cultural and knowledge itinerary that humans have followed throughout the sites, undoubtedly constituting a fascinating historical journey.
If we focus on mining, there are various types of mineral exploitations scattered throughout the region, given the geological richness of the Asturian subsoil. It is also possible to learn about different extraction or mining methods: surface or open-pit mining, and within underground mining, there is horizontal or mountain mining, vertical mining, and underwater mining.
A journey through Asturias will take you to all kinds of mines you can imagine: prehistoric ones like Texeo (Riosa), where copper was extracted over 5000 years ago; gold mines in western Asturias, where the Roman Empire extracted this precious metal for centuries, or coal mining - the most popular one - with its open-pit or underground operations. So, you will come across striking winding towers indicating the presence of a vertical shaft, horizontal tunnels showcasing mountain mining technology, and even mines that venture into the depths of the sea like Arnáu (Castrillón) or Llumeres (Gozón).
However, besides delving into the mining nature of Asturias, you will discover that there are countless ways to explore and experience the industrial heritage of Asturias: various museums and ethnographic complexes, some hydroelectric power plants, a railway museum, factories, a steel museum, mining museums and eco-museums, mining pits that can be visited both from the outside and inside, mining towns, cultural spaces in cities with clear industrial reminiscences, hiking trails, as well as some greenways that showcase the routes of mining railways or lead you to remnants of industrial archaeology. These experiences represent a unique opportunity to embark on alone, with friends, or with family.
The industrial heritage of Asturias is ideal to visit at any time of the year, offering different attractions depending on the season you visit: the chromatic range of the landscape, gastronomy, atmosphere, festivities, seasonal exhibitions and activities, and more.
Get to know our Industrial Heritage
The mining landscape of Arnao emerged in the mid-19th century when the Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas started up the first mining enterprise in the region employing industrial techniques, reinforcing the project decades later with zinc metallurgy.
The model village of Bustiello was built between 1890 and 1925, its construction and cultural influences being varied: Belgian building models - such as semi-detached houses, bare solid red bricks, industrial flat roof - not to mention local traditions with characteristic Asturian elements.
Es un espacio etnográfico que presenta uno de los modelos de vivienda obrera existente en Asturias.
El Puerto de Avilés es un lugar que combina historia y modernidad. Una ría donde se dan la mano el paisaje industrial y los espacios naturales.
El Pozu de Santa Bárbara fue la primera gran explotación de hula en la cuenca del Caudal y uno de los mayores pozos mineros de Asturias.
Museum displaying the elements that constituted the way of life and thinking of the inhabitants of the region.
Built in the early 1870s, Gijón's North Railway Station was an active witness of the growth in population and industry in the city in the early 20th century.
San Luis came into being as a deep pit promoted by the Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas mining company, which was to change the appearance and life in the Samuño Valley, in the heart of the Nalón Valley, and almost a century later is the setting of the Samuño Valley Ecomuseum.
Sotón Pit, in the borough of San Martín del Rey Aurelio, was one of the deep pit collieries in Asturias, being a technical forerunner in this respect.
Built in 1857, this plant was once the largest industrial project in the region and a pioneer in Spain.
Simple trail from Reicastro to Villandio offering views of the Figaredo mining area.
Descubre en esta visita guiada el paisaje y la realidad de la minería de la cuenca central a través de una antigua explotación de montaña de fines del s. XIX
Transición es la palabra que define a esta antigua vía férrea, que nos lleva de lo urbano a lo rural y de aquí a lo casi selvático.
Apenas nos daríamos cuenta de la intervención humana si no fuera por lo perfecto del camino por el que andamos o rodamos, por los túneles por los que transitaba el antiguo tren o por los puentes que le ayudaban a sortear los pasos elevados sobre el Eo.
Transición es la palabra que define a esta antigua vía férrea, que nos lleva de lo urbano a lo rural y de aquí a lo casi selvático.
The Mining Museum is located in one of the areas in Asturias with the longest-standing mining tradition and is an example of the different facets of the business and culture of coal mining.
The Y-shaped trail has a main stretch which then forks in two directions, Tuñón-Huerta Cave and Tuñón-Ricabo