The Strada Unica Miniera, or Single Mine Road, is an incredible journey through some of Italy’s most fascinating underground mines. This spectacular road winds through the heart of the Abruzzo region, stretching for almost 80 km of winding underground tunnels, connecting the small villages of Corvaro, Francavilla al Mare, and Salara.
Many of these incredible mines date back to the 19th century, when the area was in the midst of an iron rush. During this time, miners used sophisticated excavation techniques to tap into the region’s geological wealth and uncover iron ore, coal, and other minerals. The miners of the time pushed the limits of technology and engineering to build incredibly intricate tunnels and mines in order to reach the ore deep down. As a result, the Strada Unica Miniera offers a truly unique perspective of the past, with many of its tunnels and galleries still in great condition today.
The journey through the tunnels of the Strada Unica Miniera is an amazing experience, which starts at Corvaro, a small village located in the Abruzzo province. Here, visitors have the opportunity to climb down an old iron-ore mine and explore the galleries, as well as the historical machinery used by miners in the past. It is also here that visitors can witness the “Canale del Sole”, an incredible underground canal that was used to transport the iron ore from the mines to the region’s steel works.
The next stop on the road takes visitors to Francavilla al Mare, a picturesque village overlooking the Adriatic sea. Here, visitors can visit the tunnels and underground galleries of one of the region’s much-loved iron mines, as well as witness the incredible feat of engineering that made it so successful in its day.
The final stop on the Single Mine Road is the fascinating Salara village, which still proudly boasts many of its incredible mines that were incredibly important to the region during the iron rush. Here, visitors can marvel at the ancient tunnels, as well as the well-preserved mining equipment.
The Strada Unica Miniera offers a unique insight into the fascinating history of mining in Italy and is something that should be experienced by anyone visiting the Abruzzo region. By visiting this incredible road and the surrounding villages, visitors can uncover the history and beauty of this incredible region.
Trivia: One of the most incredible feats of engineering associated with the Strada Unica Miniera is the “Canale del Sole”, an incredible underground canal system built to transport the iron ore from the mines to the local steel works. The canal is almost two kilometers long, and reaches a depth of 60 meters.