The history of Fontao is an exciting one. The initial stage, in which work was carried out in a rudimentary manner, was followed by the incorporation of the mining know-how imported by the English and French owners of the mine. This forged a leading industry capable of taking advantage of the price of metals in Europe at the time.

Recovering history

The Fontao Mining Museum aims to disseminate the cultural legacy directly or indirectly related to the Fontao mine by recovering documents, plans, publications, photographs and testimonies of all the material related to this subject and to ensure the conservation, recovery and enhancement of the industrial and mining heritage of Fontao. The collection is open to the public and can be visited in the communal facilities such as the old cinema, the chapel and the schools, as well as in the outdoor areas.

Big businessmen, engineers, adventurers, fugitive spies and republican prisoners gathered around the Vila de Cruces mine. Political prisoners forced to work during the dictatorship arrived at Fontao. Such was the level of activity that in 1956 the owners built an entire mining village around the galleries. It included housing, a football pitch, a school, a cinema and a church. After just five years, work ceased and in 1974 the mine was closed for good.

"It forged a leading industry capable of taking advantage of the price of metals in Europe at that time".

During almost a century of mining activity in the area, the landscape was modified and an important industrial and mining heritage was created, of which representative elements have been preserved that today help to understand what the years of splendour of the mine and the organisation of workers and neighbours were like.

Make the most of your visit to see the Camanzo monastery, the Baños da Brea Spa Hotel and the A Solaina House Museum, and taste the famous Vila de Cruces curral de Vila de Cruces.