Gonzen iron mine, Iron mine in Sargans, Switzerland
Gonzen iron mine is an underground mine near Sargans with extensive tunnel systems that run deep into the mountain. The facility consists of multiple levels with mining chambers and galleries that reflect different periods of extraction work.
Mining at Gonzen started in the 14th century and continued across many generations. The site reached its peak activity during industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The site draws visitors who want to understand how miners worked deep underground over many centuries. The place tells the story of people who shaped the landscape through their labor and left behind evidence of their daily struggles.
Visitors should bring warm clothing since the underground temperature remains around 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit) throughout the year. Guided tours are offered and require advance booking along with sturdy footwear for uneven underground paths.
The mine preserves tools and machinery from different eras that show how extraction techniques changed from medieval times to modern methods. Visitors can observe how underground work transitioned from hand labor to mechanized processes.
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