Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Leiria > Porto de Mós > Serro Ventoso > Bezerra
Situated in the locality of Bezerra, in the parish of Serro Ventoso, Mina Assentiz is part of the municipality of Porto de Mós, in the heart of the district of Leiria. Its surroundings are marked by the characteristic landscape of the Estremenho Limestone Massif, where natural heritage intertwines with the history of human intervention. The area, with its rocky formations and local vegetation, offers a backdrop that highlights the historical character and uniqueness of this site.
Mina Assentiz represents an important testament to the mining activity that has shaped the Porto de Mós region for centuries. This complex, centered on the exploitation of lignite, dates back to a period when coal extraction was vital for the country's industrial development. As one walks through its facilities, visitors encounter the remnants of intense labor, which molded the lives of local communities and boosted the economy of the time. The history of Mina Assentiz is, therefore, a fundamental chapter of Portuguese industrial archaeology.
The site preserves a collection of buildings and structures that reflect the civil architecture and engineering associated with past mining operations. Buildings that served to support the operations are observable, from administrative buildings to workshops and technical infrastructure. Their design and the materials used narrate the conditions and work methods that prevailed, allowing for an understanding of the complexity and scale of mining operations. These edifices, though no longer serving their original purpose, are an integral part of the site's heritage value, illustrating the technology and organization of a bygone era.
At Mina Assentiz, the visitor experience allows for an immersion into the memories of underground exploitation. The space has been designed to showcase the human and technical aspects that defined the lives of the miners and the functioning of the mine. Through the remaining elements, it is possible to glimpse the daily life of hard work, the tools used, and the challenges faced by those who dedicated their lives to the extraction of "black gold". This place invites reflection on human resilience and the impact of industry on the territory and its people.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.5497252,-8.8451921
Coordinates DMS: 39°32'59.0"N 08°50'42.7"W
Weather Serro Ventoso
On-duty Pharmacy Serro Ventoso
