The Industrial Heritage of Asturias: a great cultural legacy

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, mining nature

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.

The industrial heritage of Asturias, protected by the Cultural Heritage Law, includes three types of assets: isolated elements, such as the Tobacco Factory located in the heart of Gijón/Xixón; industrial complexes, such as Arnáu (Castrillón) or the Arms Factory of Trubia (Oviedo); and complex landscapes that connect different activities, as seen in the Nalón or Caudal basins, specifically in the mining landscape of Turón (Mieres)

Salime Reservoir (Grandas de Salime)

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.

Asturias is one of the richest destinations in the world in terms of industrial heritage from all eras, including prehistory, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy this type of leisure activity.

Iron casting. Museum of Steelmaking of Asturias (MUSI) (Langreo)

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.

In reality, every corner of Asturias is like a vast industrial heritage theme park, both outdoors and indoors. It is a grand theme park that showcases the different industrial revolutions, inventions and innovations, industrial sociology, culture, historical episodes, landscapes, and much more