Bois du Cazier, Coal mine museum in Marcinelle, Belgium.
Description
Bois du Cazier is a coal mining complex in Marcinelle set across a large industrial site with preserved buildings housing exhibitions about coal extraction, glass production, and industrial history. The grounds include original mining infrastructure such as shafts, machinery, and extraction equipment that workers once used daily.
History
Mining operations started at this location in 1822 and grew into one of the region's largest industrial centers until closing in 1967. A devastating accident in August 1956 killed many workers and became a turning point for mining safety and international labor awareness.
Culture
The name comes from the cazier trees that once covered this land before mining began. Walking through the site, you can sense how workers from many countries shared this place, their lives documented in the buildings and objects left behind.
Practical
The site is best explored on foot, with pathways leading through different sections and up converted slag heaps that offer viewpoints over the surrounding landscape. Wear comfortable shoes as the ground can be uneven, and some paths include steps or slopes that require steady walking.
Did you know?
The site also preserves a glass museum, reflecting an important glass manufacturing industry that flourished alongside coal mining in the region. This dual industrial heritage reveals how the settlement was shaped by more than just mining alone.
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