Aljustrel Mining Park

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Beja > Aljustrel > Aljustrel > Bairro Val d'Oca

Location

The Aljustrel Mining Park is located in the Val d'Oca neighbourhood, in the heart of the town and municipality of Aljustrel. The area is part of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, a region of great geological value that stretches across Portugal and Spain, globally recognized for the richness of its mineral deposits, particularly copper and iron. Its location, close to Aljustrel's urban centre, facilitates the discovery of this site of significant industrial heritage.

A Millennial Heritage

The history of mining exploration in Aljustrel is remarkably ancient, with vestiges pointing to the Chalcolithic period, approximately five thousand years ago. It was, however, during the Roman period that the activity reached its peak, leading to the foundation of the settlement of Vipasca, dedicated to this industry. From this period, evidence remains, such as extensive spoil heaps and unique bronze tablets detailing mining rules and taxes. In the following centuries, mining persisted, and by the 16th century, the Aljustrel mines were already known for the extraction of azurite, a valuable blue pigment used by painters of the time, such as Jorge Afonso.

Vestiges of the Industrial Era

The Aljustrel Mining Park preserves a set of structures that bear witness to the intense industrial activity that marked the region in the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the most emblematic elements are the Vipasca Headframe, which stands over one of the mine shafts, and the Compressor Station, now converted into a museological centre illustrating the operation of compressed air-powered equipment. The imposing Transtagana Chimney, one of the old 19th-century sulfuration chimneys, stands out in the landscape as a symbol of the mining heritage. A restored locomotive evokes the crucial role of the railway network in the history of ore transport. In certain parts of the park, the "Iron Hat" is visible, reddish-toned mineral outcrops that marked the areas of the first surface explorations.

Routes and Discoveries in the Park

Conceived as a lasting tribute to the miners of Aljustrel, the Mining Park offers an experience that combines elements of leisure, education, and research. The tour begins at the Reception and Interpretation Centre, located next to the Viana Headframe, where visitors can explore a museological space with historical mining artefacts. One of the most distinctive points of the park is the visit to an old mining gallery, Level 30, fully restored to offer visitors an authentic immersion into the underground environment of the mine. To explore the surrounding area, the park features cycle paths and walkways, leading to the redeveloped mining neighbourhoods and the landscapes of the "Iron Hat". The "Memory Trails" project also envisages the valorization of railway heritage, with plans for the creation of a tourist train that will connect various points of mining interest in the future.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt