#uniquedestinations
Vagonetto is a mining park in Fokis, on Mount Parnassos, near Arachova and Amfissa. It is the only thematic mining park of its kind in Greece and one of the few in Europe. Similar attractions include the National Coal Mining Museum in the UK, the Estonian Mining Museum, Hallstatt in Salzburg, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland.
In 1998, the company that developed the region’s bauxite deposits launched a project to transform an obsolete mining gallery. After 25 years of operation, the gallery was converted into a tourist and educational attraction. The aim was to honour the miners of Fokis and preserve the history of bauxite mining in the area.
A short history of the park
The history of the park began in 1967, when they opened a new gallery for underground bauxite mining. They named it Tunnel 850, with the number referring to its elevation, in line with mining practice. Mining operations ceased after five years, as the bauxite deposit had been exhausted.
Then, they abandoned the gallery. In 1998, work began to transform the site into a thematic mining park. The project was completed in 2003, when the park officially opened to the public.
The ride in the mine
The visit begins underground. Visitors wear safety helmets and board the small mining train, known as the Vagonetto. The train was once used to transport bauxite from the mine. This is one of the most exciting parts of the experience. The train takes visitors almost 200 metres into the mountain, where a walking tour through the history of bauxite mining begins.
The tour is conducted in groups and led by an experienced guide. Along the route, visitors see life-size displays with mannequins that recreate the working conditions of miners. The exhibits present the different mining methods and techniques used over time, highlighting the evolution of mining technology.
The atmosphere underground is both eerie and fascinating. Visitors gain a vivid impression of the harsh conditions in which miners worked and the dangers they faced every day. There is no natural light, and water continuously drips from the roof of the tunnel.
Audio presentations at various points along the route provide information about the history of the mine and the mining process. One of the highlights of the tour is the re-enactment of a blasting operation, demonstrating a technique once used by miners to excavate the rock. At the end of the walking tour, visitors board the Vagonetto once again and travel back to the starting point in the main building.
The exhibition
From there, visitors continue to the exhibition area in the main building. The exhibition is supported by a digital audio guide available in six languages: Greek, English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. The exhibits explain the importance of bauxite in modern industry and highlight its many applications in everyday life, including the production of aluminium and cement. Visitors also learn about the different departments of the mine and how they operated as part of the overall mining process.
The final part of the visit takes place in the park’s modern extension, which consists of three themed rooms: the Blue Room, the Red Room and the Green Room. Using interactive digital technology, visitors embark on an engaging and educational journey through the history of bauxite mining and its impact on the local community.
The exhibits explore the importance of mining in Fokis, where a large proportion of the population was employed in the mines. Through interactive displays and multimedia presentations, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the region’s industrial heritage and the lives of the people who worked there.
Before leaving, visitors can browse the gift shop, which offers books, souvenirs and mining-related items, including pieces of bauxite rock. There is also a café where guests can relax and enjoy refreshments.
An educational excursion
Vagonetto is open daily, at weekends and on holidays from 9:00 to 17:00. Before your visit, see the available tour hours and fill the reservation form or contact by phone at 22650 78819 as the positions for each tour of the gallery is limited.
Visit the official site for more information on tickets, tours and accessways.
This is a perfect and educational excursion suitable for all ages. A really once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the #uniquedestinations our site is proud to present. Do not hesitate and ride the next vagonetto.
Finally two videos : a short video from our visit and the official introductory video of Vagonetto.
