Explore the surreal remains of ancient Roman gold mines carved from mountains that left an otherworldly scarred landscape.
Why Go: Witness a remarkable testament to Roman engineering and the lengths taken for precious gold.
For Those Who: Have an interest in ancient history and engineering, appreciate dramatic natural landscapes, look for unique spots off the beaten path.
The sprawling red cliffs and pockmarked terrain of Las Médulas provide insight into the Roman Empire’s vast scale of gold mining using water pressure to erode mountains away. These ancient hydraulic mines produced incredible yields before leaving behind a strange, pitted landscape.
Hike trails to take in the broad expanses of jagged red rock carved away by the ingenious mining technique. Descend into valleys and caverns left behind, carved smooth by the redirected streams. Marvel at the sheer amount of earth that was moved in pursuit of gilding Rome.
While the mine workings have faded, the otherworldly natural beauty left in their wake makes Las Médulas an intriguing place to contemplate faded human ambition and witness nature’s persistence—an engineer’s pilgrimage site.
What You Need to Know: Las Médulas is located in León province near the town of Ponferrada. The site covers an extensive area, so vehicles are recommended to tour the rock formations.
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