Explore the ancient mines of Saint Marcel in Aosta Valley

Where are the Saint Marcel mines located?

The ancient mines of Saint Marcel are located in Servette, in the municipality of Saint Marcel, in Aosta Valley. The mining site is reachable with a short walk from the picnic area Les Druges, an ideal starting point for the visit.

What is the history of the Saint Marcel mines?

The history of the Saint Marcel mines dates back to ancient times. The Romans were the first to discover and exploit these resources, extracting valuable minerals such as pyrite and chalcopyrite. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the mines fell into abandonment for centuries.

In the 17th century, a landslide revealed the ancient entrances, and mining activity regained momentum, especially for copper. For two centuries, the mines continued to be cultivated, becoming a reference point for alpine mining industry.

How did the mining site develop in the 20th century?

In the 20th century, the Saint Marcel mines experienced a phase of significant development. Cable cars were built to transport the ore, service structures, shelters for workers, warehouses, and facilities for material processing. Activity continued until 1967, when the copper market crisis made pyrite extraction no longer profitable.

What can you see today when visiting the Saint Marcel mines?

Thanks to a recovery and enhancement project, today the Saint Marcel mines are visitable with guided tours that allow visitors to relive the atmosphere of the past. Among the areas that can be visited are: The guardian's house, furnished with period objects. The miners' village, where you can breathe the daily life of those who worked at altitude. The forge, the beating heart of metalworking. The service buildings and the powder magazine. The detonator depot, a testament to the extraction activity. The extraction galleries San Giacomo and 1815, set up immersively to allow visitors to experience the miner's experience. The Decauville, a small service railway. The cable car “go and return” and the slide for transporting materials. The waste deposits and the remains of the ancient foundry of Trèves.

What experience does visiting the mine galleries offer?

Entering the galleries of the Saint Marcel mines means taking a step back in time. The immersive setup of gallery 1815 allows you to experience the sensation of working underground, surrounded by silence, the noise of tools, and the smell of damp rock. The dim lights and the stories of the guides recreate the authentic atmosphere of life in the mine.

How to prepare for the visit to the Saint Marcel mines?

The mines are located at an altitude between 1,720 and 1,850 meters above sea level, so it is essential to wear hiking clothing and shoes. Inside the galleries, the temperature ranges from 8°C to 12°C, so even in summer, it is advisable to bring warm clothing. For access to gallery 1815, protective helmets and boots are provided.

How to book and how to reach the mining site?

Visiting the Saint Marcel mines is only guided and requires a reservation. To get there, you can park your car in the picnic area Les Druges, where the ticket office, reception point, and services are located. From there, in a few minutes on foot, you reach the mining site. Animals are not allowed for safety reasons.

Why visit the ancient mines of Saint Marcel?

Visiting this site means not only discovering an important chapter of the industrial history of Aosta Valley but also experiencing a unique sensory experience: walking along the tunnels carved into the rock, observing the original machinery, imagining the hard and fascinating life of mountain miners. It is a journey into memory, enriched by unspoiled alpine landscapes and the magic of a place suspended between nature and industrial archaeology.