Blegny-Mine, Blégny, Belgium

Blegny-Mine is one of the four major coal mines in Wallonia, a recognised UNESCO world heritage site. It is an authentic coal mine with underground galleries accessible for the visitors through the original shaft.

In Blegny, the coalworking started in the 16th century under the impulse of the Monks of Val-Dieu, owners of the coal area. The first granting, Trembleur, was allowed to Gaspar Corbesier in 1799. This marked the beginning of the industrial coal working. Corbesier's descendants get the granting Argenteau which is settled near Trembleur. both grantings were put together in 1883 and totalise 2,171 acres. In 1887 the activities stopped for 30 years and the company is put into liquidation.

In 1919, a new company was created and the family Ausselet grounded the 'Company of Argenteau'. the production grew rapidly and reached 84.000 tons in 1931. During the Second World War, the tour of the pit 1 and the coal-washing building were destroyed. Coal extraction still remained by using the 'Pit Mary' but consequently with a lower rate of production. From 1942 till 1948 the pit and the wah-and-sorting building were reconstructed.

The production continued and reached 232.000 tons for 680 mineworkers. In 1975, the Industrial ans Social Ministerial Committee of Belgium stopped state grants to coal mines. In the region of Liège, the coal mines were closed one by one. The latest one 'Argenteau-trembleur' closed on March 31st, 1980.

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Blegny-Mine

User Reviews

Rudi Van Arend (7 months ago)
Very interesting with very good guide who explained everything about the mining but also the harsh life of the miners, the accidents that happened. One other plus, the day we visited it was 33° outside but in the mine about 15°

Hugo van der Ven (8 months ago)
Fantastic experience and great tour guide. The horrors these miners went through are unheard off.

Jasper Fase (10 months ago)
What a great place to visit. It's really old style mining buildings with old tools and a museum. Not very touristic, very easy going. Highlight by far is going inside the mine guided by a former mine worker. Getting great insight in how they worked there. Certainly a recommendation to visit, we were there more than 4 hours and enjoyed it all that time.

Jurriaan Katsman (2 years ago)
What an absolutely amazing experience! The guides are really interested and capable of telling vivid stories. Our tour took longer then planned but it was so worth it! To be able to go down so deep, see so many parts of the mines and experience the machines they were working with is just amazing! An absolutely must to visit!

Catherine H (2 years ago)
Fantastic experience. You get to go 60 meters below ground and learn about the work conditions of the miners back then. The guide was enthousiatic and we got to learn a lot. Visits are in French and Dutch but you can get an audio-guide for other languages. On top of the mine visit, you can visit the museum which is well kept. Additionally there are 3 large modern playgrounds.

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