Serbariu coal mine
39º 9' 36'' N 8º 28' 37'' E
Carbonia-Iglesias, South Sardinia
Italy
Description
Serbariu coal mines were one of the main economy resources of Italy during the first half of the 20th century.
Extracted Materials
Coal
Antropological info
The mines counted with more than 16 thousand workers, that resided in Carbonia. At the end of the second world war, the number of workers went from 14,000 to 5,000 in ten years. This period was characterised by violent confrontations and strikes against the mass layoffs. One of the longest Italian strikes occurred here: it lasted 72 days. In the last years, the low sustainability and obsolete technology caused emigration and the final closure of the mine. Years later, it has become the Coal Museum, reopening its doors in 2006.
Sociologal info
Serbariu coal mine began its exploitation in 1937 and for a long time, provided Italy with one of the main energy resources. It stopped its activity in 1971. During the 50s, the plant rentability decreased until its closure. The Municipality of Carbonia carried out a reconditioning process to recover the main structures. The museum has gained many awards, as the aegis of UNESCO or the inclusion European enhancement circuits.
Archaeological info
The coal basin has an extension of 33 hectares, nine extraction wells and one hundred kilometres tunnels that reach 179 metres depth.
The complex has now been restored and turned into a museum, that includes the lamp room, the underground tour and the winch room. The first one consists in a large exhibition where you can admire mine lamps and work tools, maps and photographs, films and video interviews with workers. The underground tunnel shows the evolution of coal mining techniques from the mining opening to its closure. The winch room shows the great wheels of the winch used to transport the workers and carriages inside or outside the mines.
Sustainable tourism insights
In October 1997 the UNESCO declared the Geo-Mining Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia the first park in the world network of geosites-geoparks. The different areas of the park make it one of the most extensive and heterogenous in Italy. Most of the mines in the area have been turned into museums.
Environment sustainability
The closure of the mines has changed the environmental conditions, and the pollution levels have decreased.
Creativity insights/curiosities
The underground tour of Serbariu coal mine has been organised and equipped with machinery that is still used in active coal mines.
Links of interest
https://www.museodelcarbone.it/en/
