On May 9, 2026, during Europe Day celebrations, the first edition of the European Mining Routes Day took place. Organized by the European Mining Routes of Saint Barbara Federation – MINES.B, the initiative brought together mining communities and territories from across Europe through walks, excursions, cultural activities, and shared experiences dedicated to the promotion of Europe’s mining heritage.
The event united several members of the network, including the Fondazione Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara (Italy), Comarca Andorra-Sierra de Arcos (Spain), CUDHg Idrija (Slovenia), Barborska Cesta (Slovakia), and the Municipality of Aljustrel (Portugal). On the same day, all participants symbolically walked together to celebrate the mining history, landscapes, traditions, and collective memories that connect different European regions.
The initiative also highlighted the importance of slow and sustainable tourism, encouraging visitors to discover industrial heritage through nature, local communities, and authentic stories from former mining areas.
Activities Across Europe
Italy – Fondazione Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara
In Sardinia, the Fondazione Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara organized an excursion in the Carbonia area, starting from the archaeological site of Monte Sirai, an important Phoenician-Punic and later Roman settlement. The route then continued towards Nuraghe Sirai, an important example of Nuragic civilization, before reaching the Carbonia Mine.
At the mining complex, inside the Coal Museum conference hall, participants attended a presentation of the MINES.B Federation, followed by the screening of the documentary Voices from the Mines and the exhibition Men and Women of Mining.
Spain – Comarca Andorra-Sierra de Arcos
In the municipality of Gargallo, Aragón, participants joined a guided visit along the Corta Gargallo Mining Trail, accompanied by a geologist from the Dinópolis Foundation and a former miner who shared personal stories and experiences from working in the mines.
The program also included a picnic at the Regallo spring and a guided tour of the exhibition dedicated to the “Gargallo Turtle”, an important paleontological discovery found in a local mine. The day concluded with a presentation about the European Federation of Santa Barbara Mining Routes project.
Portugal – Municipality of Aljustrel
In the historic mining town of Aljustrel, the walk was enriched by the participation of former miners and local residents who shared memories and testimonies about life and work in the mining community.
The excursion also featured local gastronomy, traditional songs, and convivial moments that created a meaningful connection between visitors and the local population.
France – Mission Bassin Minier
In northern France, the famous Black Pyramids Trail, organized by Mission Bassin Minier, offered participants a unique sporting experience through the UNESCO World Heritage Mining Basin.
The outdoor running event crossed iconic spoil heaps, former mining settlements, and industrial landscapes, promoting the Mining Basin as a destination for outdoor sports and sustainable tourism.
Slovenia – Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre
In Idrija, a town historically linked to mercury mining, visitors explored part of the old mining routes through guided tours and historical presentations.
Local experts introduced participants to the history of the Holy Trinity Church, the geology of the Idrija underground, and the heritage preserved in Idrija Castle, emphasizing the importance of European cooperation in safeguarding mining heritage.
Slovakia – Barborska Cesta
In Slovakia, Barborska Cesta organized a vibrant cultural event in Sklené Teplice featuring folklore performances, traditional craft markets, regional gastronomy, and activities celebrating local traditions.
A major attraction was the new outdoor interactive game Born’s Legacy, which engaged both children and adults in discovering the region’s mining heritage through storytelling and interactive challenges.
The event concluded with the screening of the documentary Voices from the Mines, which deeply moved audiences through authentic testimonies from former miners.
A Shared European Heritage
The first edition of the European Mining Routes Day demonstrated how Europe’s mining heritage can become a powerful tool for dialogue, cooperation, and sustainable development. Through walks, cultural activities, and community participation, different territories shared a common story shaped by work, sacrifice, identity, and collective memory.
A meaningful initiative that connected landscapes, cultures, and people through the shared history of Europe’s mining regions.
