The restoration of the Anina Mine and its development into Romania's largest mining museum
About this good practice
The Anina mine is located in the city of Anina, situated in the southwest of Romania in Caraș-Severin County. Once thriving due to its coal mining industry, Anina enjoyed significant economic prosperity. However, the closure of the mines brought economic stagnation, leaving the city to grapple with the challenges of redefining its identity and finding sustainable ways to survive.
To foster local development of the city, the local authorities have successfully secured EU funding for the restoration of the Class A Monument, the "Ensemble of Well I, Anina", and the establishment of the Anina Mining Museum.
This project marks a significant step in preserving Anina's industrial heritage while stimulating economic and cultural revitalization and focuses on the following objectives:
1. Restoration, conservation and rehabilitation of the Well I and Steam Extraction Machine, unique in Romania, with an engine identical to the one existing on the Titanic, in order to eliminate the accentuated risk of their deterioration.
2. Endowment and establishment of the Anina Mining Museum.
3. Promotion of the Anina Mining Museum that will serve as a driving force in the local and regional development.
4. Inclusion of the Anina I Well complex in national and international tourist circuits.
Beneficiaries: local community, tourists, local businesses, cultural heritage organizations, government authorities, and educational institutions.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
The restoration of the Anina Mine is a transformative project funded with nearly EUR 3.5 million through the Regional Operational Program 2014-2020 under Priority Axis 5 – Improvement of the urban environment and conservation, protection, and sustainable valorization of cultural heritage.
Evidence of success
The restoration project of the Anina Mine, currently underway, is foreseen to deliver significant results upon completion. The estimated results underscore the transformative impact anticipated. These are:
- Heritage objective restored, protected, and preserved
- Increased visitor numbers from 465 visitors/year to 9000 visitors/year by the first full year following project implementation
- Improved regional tourism
- Implementation of market activities to promote the restored site.
Potential for learning or transfer
According to the restoration and revitalization project of the Anina Mining Museum, the new sight will become a real engine for the development of the city and is intended to be a model of good practice for other mining areas in Romania's West Region and beyond. By focusing on preserving the area's rich industrial heritage while reimagining its potential as a cultural and tourist landmark, the project aims to balance cultural preservation with economic revitalization. While the project's impact cannot yet be fully measured due to its ongoing nature, it can be transferred to other European regions that envisage the rehabilitation and repurposing of former mining and industrial sites. The project exemplifies how post-industrial areas can leverage their heritage to stimulate tourism and drive regional growth.
Further information
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