Trabia Tallarita Mine Museum in Riesi

The history of the Trabia Tallarita mine museum in Riesi

The Trabia Tallarita Mine Museum in Riesi is located about 35 km from Licata, in southern Sicily. On the plateau between Riesi and Sommatino, of chalky-sulphiferous origin, the main activity has always been mining: the origins of the mine date back to the XNUMXth century, the period in which excavations began at the search for sulphur.

About two centuries later the mine had become the property of prince of Trabia, but following a fire it passed to another owner, and began to become more and more productive, until it reached its peak in the 1975s, when thousands of workers could be counted in the mine and sulfur production was among the first places worldwide. The mining activity continued until XNUMX, the year in which the mine was closed, unable to keep up with the pace of the American competitors. In its place the Museum was built, in whose construction the Region of Sicily participated above all. The rooms of the power plant, restructured and divided into various sectors, can now be visited by tourists, enthusiasts and the curious who can easily reach the site by car or local means of transport.

Architecture and works in the Trabia Tallarita mine museum in Riesi

To host the Museum, the Sicily Region has chosen the places of the old power plant "Palladio", an example of industrial architecture typical of the early twentieth century, duly renovated and converted to museum function. The main building, therefore, is divided into five thematic areas characterized by the presence of multimedia tools capable of simulating the "life" of the mine; from the entrance gallery to the engines, with descriptions of the places and tales of the mine, in the building it is possible to experience what was once a typical working day in the life of a miner. Furthermore, still in the main building, there are scientific laboratories that can be visited.

In addition to the main building, the Trabia Tallarita Mining Museum in Riesi also houses other buildings dedicated to memory and learning: photos, stories, videos and temporary exhibitions are displayed here and welcome anyone who wants to learn more about life in the mine.

What to do around the Trabia Tallarita mine museum in Riesi

The Museum is located near Riesi, less than 10 km from the municipality in the province of Caltanissetta. A visit to the Museum is an opportunity to explore a piece of our country's history combined with the possibility of experiencing some scientific phenomena linked to the element of sulphur, discovering both history and science live. This is why the museum is also suitable for children, who can have fun while learning in the interactive areas.

Thanks to interactive multimedia resources, it has been possible to reconstruct the tunnels and wells which a century ago were a source of wealth for our country.
But the Museum welcomes all visitors and tourists to the area, becoming, if you like, also a stop on a wider tour than crosses Sicily, an island beloved by Italians and foreigners for all its riches, from natural to gastronomic ones.

Around Riesi, tourists will also find many other interesting places, which are undoubtedly worth a visit: the Church of Maria Santissima della Catena, Falcone and Borsellino Urban Park, Museum of Natural History and Mining Art of Sammatino, Archaeological Museum of Santa Lauricella, obviously without forgetting the gastronomic stages which, between restaurants and festivals, offer delicious local products, from cheeses to sweets to leave the taste of always new discoveries on the palate. Finally, for the little ones, a day at the Acquapark Conte can also be organized in the summer. All these destinations are very close to the Trabia Tallarita Mining Museum in Riesi, about 5 km away from the town.

Those who want to get away a little, moving from the hinterland towards the coast, about 35 km from Riesi will find the beautiful beach of Licata or the wilder beach of Rocca di San Nicola, certainly a place that will remain in the memories of all lovers of sea.

How is it possible to get to the museum of the trabia tallarita mine in Riesi

The Museum is located about 8 km north-west of Riesi, and is connected to the Sicilian municipality by the SP14. From Riesi by car, the Museum can be reached in about 10 minutes.

Riesi is a municipality of the Free Municipal Consortium of Caltanissetta, in the heart of Sicily. To reach it, the main road is the A19 motorway which connects Palermo and Catania.

The central location of Caltanissetta and the neighboring municipalities allows you to easily reach the small center of Riesi by car from any city in Sicily.

Getting to Riesi by train is just as easy, because the municipality is served by local buses and private shuttles that connect the stations of Caltanissetta Centrale (about 23 km away) and Agrigento Centrale (44 km) to the center of the town.