Lousal Mining Museum

From 1900 to 1988, copper pyrites were extracted from Lousal mines, located between Canal Caveira and Ermidas do Sado. After the mines were closed, Frederic Velge Foundation was created, as a result of a partnership of the company that owns the mine and Grândola City Hall. The Foundation has a cultural, scientific and pedagogical project. Mining Museum intends to preserve the memory and the knowledge of generations of workers who excavated Lousal mines, converted nowadays in a sort of archaeological site. In the Mining Museum you can watch and learn how a mine works through the testimonies of the work, which was carried out here for decades. This museum is housed in the ancient mining facilities, actually the first one of this sort in Portugal. It was officially opened on may 20th 2001. You should especially draw your close attention to the work structures that were totally restored to welcome visitors: facilities, excavations, mine galleries and even the engines of the electric power station that used to supply not only the mine, but also local inhabitants.

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