Parco Minerario-Naturalistico di Gavorrano

The Parco Minerario- Naturalistico was opened to preserve Gavorrano‘s mining territory and its history for generations of locals.

It is the biggest ‘gate’ into the Parco Nazionale Tecnologico Archeologico delle Colline Metallifere Grossetane and is made up of more than 100km of closed mines in and around the Metalliferous Hills, most of which held deposits of pyrite (iron sulfide).

The park’s main attraction is its museum, which has an exhibition of instruments used by the miners, as well as relics, reproductions and documents relating to the local mining industry and mineral extraction throughout the 19th and 20th century. Part of the museum has been transformed into a miniature mine so visitors can get an idea of a day in the life of a miner.

The park is also home to a 2,000 seat natural amphitheatre, which was carved at the feet of the San Rocco cave. This theatre symbolises the park’s transition from open mine to cultural, social, environmental and tourist attraction, and hosts a variety of events and shows all year round.