Museo della Miniera - Subterraneo

The Subterraneo in Massa Marittima brings together a former mine gallery and collections documenting the area's mining history. Retired miners helped reconstruct the underground work environments, while maps, instruments and minerals trace the wider story of the Colline Metallifere.

Why it matters

Mining shaped the economy and settlement of the Colline Metallifere from antiquity into the modern era. The museum's galleries preserve practical knowledge supplied by former miners and connect it with the geological and industrial history of the region.

What to notice

The underground route includes reconstructed work areas, timber supports, equipment and mine wagons. The galleries also served as air-raid shelters during the Second World War. Exhibits in a former school building include maps, geological sections, instruments and mineral samples.

Context and history

The Museum of Mining opened in 1980 through the work of retired miners and local mineralogy enthusiasts. In 2022, the Museum of Mining Art and History moved its collection to the site. The combined Subterraneo opened in 2023, bringing the mining gallery and the town's documentary collections together.