The UNESCO World Heritage mine shaft towers at Bois du Cazier

View of the iconic elevator towers (chevalements) of Bois du Cazier, symbol of the Walloon mining heritage recognized by UNESCO in 2012. The blue metal structures dominate the museum complex, flanked by the original red brick buildings that housed the mine services. On the right, a contemporary corten steel sculpture commemorates the victims of the tragedy. The site, transformed into a museum and memorial, preserves the memory of the 262 miners who died in the 1956 disaster and tells the story of Italian immigration to Belgium, linked to bilateral agreements that provided for sending labor in exchange for coal.

shaft towers, chevalement, bois du cazier, marcinelle, unesco, world heritage, mining museum, memorial