The mining history of São Pedro da Cova takes different forms: a collection, an industrial structure and two interpretive activities featured in the 2024–2025 edition of the national mining routes guide. Alongside these, the PR3 Trilho de Belói describes landscapes in the area of the Freguesia S. Pedro da Cova, while the Parque Urbano adds an urban touch. This makes cultural history and landscape two distinct interests to consider when choosing a destination.
Mining History at the Museum and the Cavalete
The Museu Mineiro de São Pedro da Cova was founded in 1989 and is located in one of the former buildings of the Casas da Malta. Its collection includes equipment for coal extraction, processing and shipping. These areas represent different stages of the coal industry, rather than focusing on a single step. The collection also includes plant and animal fossils, as well as the company archive of the Companhia das Minas de Carvão de São Pedro da Cova. Technical equipment, natural finds and archival material thus offer different ways to explore the town’s mining heritage.
The exhibition “Valorização do Trabalho das Mulheres Mineiras” offers another perspective. It explores women’s socioeconomic work in connection with the mining identity of São Pedro da Cova and was intended as a permanent exhibition. Alongside technical objects and company history, it therefore also focuses on women’s work and their role in relation to the area’s mining identity.
The Cavalete do Poço de São Vicente is a distinct example of industrial architecture. Built in 1934, it is a 38.5-metre-high reinforced-concrete structure. Its height and construction offer a different perspective from the museum’s collection: here, industrial heritage can be described through a specific structure, while the collection brings together equipment, fossils and archival material.
Different Ways of Interpreting the Past
In the 2024–2025 edition of the national mining routes guide, “A Luz que nos Ilumina” was featured as a guided activity. It used new technologies and an interactive screen to explain mining work and the former workers of the Minas de São Pedro da Cova. “Os Briquetes” was also included in that edition: visitors could dress up as miners for a photo and reenact the former mining activity. The two formats differ in how they present the subject: “A Luz que nos Ilumina” focuses on explanations and the screen, while “Os Briquetes” centres on costumes and photographic role-play. Both activities related to the former world of mining work; their inclusion here is specific to the 2024–2025 edition.
Landscape and Park
The PR3 Trilho de Belói runs through the Serras de Santa Justa e Castiçal, through the valley of the Rio Ferreira and along its tributary, the Ribeira de Silveirinhos, in the area of the Freguesia S. Pedro da Cova. The route description thus covers a landscape of mountain ranges, a river valley and a tributary. If you would also like to include landscape when choosing a destination, this offers a different focus from the mining history.
The Parque Urbano de São Pedro da Cova is a 21,000-square-metre urban park. As part of its redevelopment, the Tanque das Três Pernas was upgraded. At the time, visitors could climb it for panoramic views of the area. If this particular viewpoint is important for your visit, check its current accessibility in advance. The park adds another local point of interest to the cultural and landscape themes described here.
A Guide to Choosing Accommodation
When looking for accommodation in São Pedro da Cova, you can weigh up the focus of your stay: mining history, approached through its technical and social aspects, or the landscape route described by the PR3. The urban park adds another local point of interest to this selection.
Discover more destinations: Rio Tinto, Lomba, Foz do Sousa
Return to the main travel overview: Gondomar.
