Just outside the village of Alagna, immersed in the breathtaking scenery of the Western Alps, lies a secret carved in stone: the Kreas mining galleries. A place that tells stories of men and gold, of toil and hope, of an indissoluble bond between Valsesia and its land.
Today, thanks to an ambitious project by the municipality of Alagna, this hidden heritage is preparing to come back to light. The redevelopment of the old mines and the San Lorenzo Factory will open a passage in time, offering us the opportunity to relive the past in a unique way.
The Kreas Mining Park project has two fronts. The first involves the San Lorenzo Factory, where the gold extracted from the mines was refined in the past. Here, a historic hydraulic millstone, fed by the clear waters of the Sesia river, will be restored to show the process of crushing gold stones. Next to the factory, a new building in harmony with the landscape will house a modern service centre with a ticket office, cafeteria and bookshop.
The second part of the project will take visitors inside the galleries of the old feldspar mine, built on the ashes of the gold mines and active until a few years ago. Here, the fascination of the underground meets the tale of centuries of Alpine labour and resilience.
During the Christmas holidays of 2025, the most curious were able to participate in two preview visits of the San Lorenzo Factory, getting a taste of what the future mining park will be like. Further dates will be available in the coming winter months, offering the chance to immerse oneself in an experience that combines memory and identity.
Valsesia, with its Monte Rosa and its timeless villages, has always guarded precious treasures. The Kreas mines will soon be ready to tell their story again.
Don't miss the chance to discover them!
