Charbonnage de Blegny-Mine, Former coal mine in Saint-Remy, Belgium
The Charbonnage de Blegny-Mine is a former coal mine in Saint-Rémy, Belgium, now open as a museum to visitors. The site features underground tunnels reaching depths of 60 meters below the surface, along with surface buildings, exhibition rooms, and a large artificial hill made from mining waste.
Mining started in the 1500s under monks from Val-Dieu Abbey, with the first shaft built in 1779. The site grew into a regional industrial center and operated until 1980, when the oil crisis caused subsidies to end.
The site's name comes from its mining past, which shaped local communities for generations, with families often working together underground. Visitors can see in the displays how this work defined daily life in the region and created strong bonds between mining families.
Visitors descend via the original mine cage and should bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes, as underground paths are cool and uneven. The site is partially accessible for people with mobility challenges, and guided tours are offered in multiple languages with advance arrangements available for those needing special assistance.
The mine's headframe was destroyed during World War II by the Belgian army, and many parts visible today were rebuilt after the war. This reconstruction shows how the mining operation was modernized after the conflict to become safer and more efficient.
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