Las Médulas, Las Médulas, Spain

Las Médulas is a historic gold mining site near the town of Ponferrada. It was the most important gold mine (and largest open pit gold mine) in the entire Roman Empire. Las Médulas Cultural Landscape is listed by the UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites.

The spectacular landscape of Las Médulas resulted from the ruina montium (wrecking of the mountains), a Roman mining technique described by Pliny the Elder in 77 AD. The technique employed was a type of hydraulic mining which involved undermining a mountain with large quantities of water. The water was supplied by interbasin transfer. At least seven long aqueducts tapped the streams of the La Cabrera district (where the rainfall in the mountains is relatively high) at a range of altitudes. The same aqueducts were used to wash the extensive alluvial gold deposits.

The area Hispania Tarraconensis was conquered in 25 BC by the emperor Augustus. Prior to the Roman conquest the indigenous inhabitants obtained gold from alluvial deposits. Large-scale production did not begin until the second half of the 1st century AD.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Mike Walker (2 years ago)
Stunning vista and incredible history. The Roman engineering was mind boggling. A trip into the htunnels is a must unless you are claustrophobic or suffer from vertigo!

Hugo Pro B (2 years ago)
Visit to the gallery costs 3€ from 12 yrs. above and 2€ below 12 yrs.

Leo Boeren (2 years ago)
This trail at UNESCO site Las Medulas is well worth the effort to get here. Just after the parking is the aula archeologica where you can get a small map and explanation over which route to take for the duration you want. We went to La Cuevona, whereafter i took the steep path upwards to the mirador de Orellan. Walking all the way up is really worth it. The views are stunning. Downside is that the Galeria is closed between 1400 and 1700. Don't try this when it rains, too slippery. And second tip when you're doen again after seeing the mirador take the same route via La Cuevona back as the other route is boring.

James Clayton (3 years ago)
What a place , well worth a visit if in Northern Spain . The 10.6km walk is a great route with some interesting scenery. This can be found on the notice board at the car park or on AllTrails ect .

Maribel D (3 years ago)
Beautiful scenery and incredible historical area. The engineering of the Romans is incredible. Amazing at sunset !

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Ninara

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The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.

The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.

The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.

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