Art & Culture
Museums
In a setting characterised by beautiful landscapes and natural diversity.
Visitors can find a vestige of what was once the economic and social heart of the Carranza valley, the Dolomite Museum.
Industrial heritage that, rather than being forgotten and giving all the attention to the stunning Armañón nature park, has been restored to help to understand the history of what is traditionally a mining area.
At the peak of Basque industry in the 20th century, the hamlet of Ambasaguas was the nerve centre of the area thanks to this factory, which processed the dolomite from Peña Ranero (now in the Armañón nature park).
The raw material was carried from the quarry to the factory on an aerial tramway running 2.9 kilometres and shipping up to 90 containers an hour. It was in fact during work in the quarry that the stunning Caves of Pozalagua were discovered. The new discovery was so unique that mining work had to be stopped in the area to preserve the caves, until the factory closed in 1990 after over 40 years in operation.
With a fifth of the original structure still standing, the factory, listed by the Basque government in 2002 as a Cultural Asset in the Monument category, instead of being demolished and forgotten has been reopened as a museum. A museum that, rather than detracting from its natural setting, complements the landscape to show visitors the real essence of the area. A site that commemorates not only the industrial revolution of its time, but also the stories of the hundred of families who made a living there.
Saturdays from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00
Sundays and public holidays from 11:00 to 14:00
Price: 3-5 €
