Colònia de Sant Corneli, Mining colony in Cercs, Spain.
Colònia de Sant Corneli is a mining settlement in the Cercs mountains featuring residential buildings made of stone and brick arranged in rectangular patterns across the hillside. The structures show practical building methods of that era, with steep external staircases and closely positioned units designed to maximize limited space on the slopes.
The settlement was founded in 1905 following the acquisition of mining rights in the area and rapidly developed into a major workers' colony. It reached its peak in the early 1950s when housing thousands of residents before mining activity in the region gradually declined.
The settlement is named after a saint and reflects how mining work shaped daily community life in this isolated location. The layout reveals how workers and their families lived closely together, creating their own small society within the mountain landscape.
The site is accessible via the BV-4025 road which connects to the C-1411 highway providing direct access to the settlement. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the pathways between buildings are steep and the terrain is mountainous.
An on-site museum documents the life of miners and their families through original objects and exhibitions. The collection displays personal items, tools, and household goods that illustrate the daily struggles and community bonds of this workers' culture.
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