Kreas · Alagna Valsesia
A journey into the mountain’s darkness: gold, galleries and miners’ stories beneath Monte Rosa.
Before you go
Everything you need to know before booking and arriving at Fabbrica di San Lorenzo.
Meeting point: Fabbrica di San Lorenzo. Please arrive about 15 minutes before the visit departure.
Gallery entry includes an approach walk of about 20 minutes on a trail. Trekking shoes recommended.
Buy online or at the museum ticket desk. Info and updates at parcominerarioalagna.it.
Monterosa Booking
Choose the date and time of your guided visit. Places are limited to ensure an immersive gallery experience.
Register your license plate when booking for car access.
Book online — For information Alagna Tourist Office tel. +39 0163 922988
The experience
From the historic Fabbrica di San Lorenzo to the galleries carved into the mountain: a route that combines nature, memory and an underground immersion. Discover more about the museum.
Here gold-bearing ore was once crushed. Today it is the starting point: historical introduction and hydraulic mills powered by the Sesia.
About 1 km of equipped trail in the heart of the mountain, among rock, darkness and the drip of water on stone.
Multimedia projections and stories from the birth of the Alps to the life of miners: an unexpected journey under Monte Rosa.
In the heart of the Western Alps, just outside the village of Alagna Valsesia, lies a fascinating place where nature, history and adventure meet: Parco Minerario di Kreas.
An engaging experience discovering the ancient gold mines of Valsesia, among galleries carved into the mountain, miners’ stories and breathtaking Alpine landscapes.
The guided visit unfolds between the historic Fabbrica di San Lorenzo — where gold-bearing ore was once crushed — and the mining gallery above, along a route that tells the story of gold extraction in Alagna and the deep bond between the territory and its mountain.
The experience begins at Fabbrica di San Lorenzo with an introduction to the history of the mines and gold-working techniques. From here you continue on foot along a panoramic trail of about 15 minutes leading to the gallery entrance. Before entering the underground route, helmets and safety equipment will be provided.
Inside the mine awaits an equipped itinerary of about 1 km, divided into 7 thematic islands, for an authentic immersion in the world of miners and to discover:
An original and evocative experience, ideal for those who love mountains, history and authentic places.
A fascinating journey into the heart of the mountain, among nature, history and the search for gold.
Welcome and introduction to the history of Alagna’s gold mines.
Processing techniques, mills and the bond between territory and mountain.
Guided walk of about 15–20 minutes to the gallery entrance.
Helmet hand-out (mandatory) and access to the underground route.
Guided visit among the thematic islands: geology, tools, daily life of miners.
Fares
An original experience for adults, families and groups. Free entry for the youngest.
Parco Minerario di Kreas
Alagna Valsesia · Monte Rosa
Adult admission
€ 25,00
Full guided visit · about 3 hours
Free
Free admission for children
€ 10
Reduced fare
€ 15
Dedicated fare
Free
With Disability Card to be shown at the entrance. Please note: the route is not accessible with strollers and not accessible for visitors with motor disabilities.
Getting there
Parcheggio WOLD, ZTL area and rules for entering the gallery safely and comfortably.
Drive past the village of Alagna towards Wold / Merletti until you reach Parcheggio WOLD.
From the car park, about 10 minutes on an easy dirt road. Alternatively a shuttle service (check availability on the website).
Car access reserved for park customers: when booking register your license plate.
Constant temperature 6–8°C. Bring a sweater, waterproof jacket and warm socks.
Humidity around 90% with frequent drips. Trekking shoes essential.
The mine is equipped and safe, but the helmet must never be removed. It is provided by the organisers.
For the curious
Beneath Alagna, prehistory, Alpine gold and hand-carved galleries intertwine. Here are some stories waiting for you underground.
In the Ciota Ciara cave, archaeologists found remains of one of Europe’s oldest Neanderthals. At Kreas, the story starts there: the first encounter between humans and the mountain.
Generations of miners descended into the galleries to extract Alpine gold. Veins of auriferous quartz, pyrite, epidote: the mountain has guarded it all for centuries.
On the ashes of the gold mines rose the feldspar/kaolin mine, active until a few years ago. Today those same galleries become an experiential route.
A multimedia itinerary from the birth of the Earth and the Alps to the present day: the voice of Monte Rosa accompanies visitors island after island.
Who it’s for
Easy difficulty route, helmet included, children up to 10 years free. Not accessible with strollers and not accessible for visitors with motor disabilities.
Ideal for school groups, parties and teams: organised visits with trained guides in the morning and afternoon.
For those who love authentic places, industrial archaeology and the appeal of the Alpine underground.
A journey into the past
Among mines, miners’ stories and breathtaking landscapes.
Frequently asked questions
About 3 hours in total, including time at Fabbrica di San Lorenzo, the approach walk and the roughly 1 km gallery route.
Easy difficulty, suitable for children (up to 10 years free). Not accessible with strollers and not accessible for visitors with motor disabilities.
Online booking is recommended because places are limited. You can also buy tickets on site, subject to availability.
At Parcheggio WOLD. Access to the inner area/ZTL only with a licence plate registered at purchase. From WOLD: 10 minutes on foot or by shuttle.
For information on access with dogs contact the Alagna Tourist Office (+39 0163 922988), especially regarding gallery entry. Visit bookings are made online.
Bookings are made online on this website. For information: Alagna Tourist Office / Consorzio Turistico Walser — ask@alagna.it · +39 0163 922988.
