Las Medulas
Las Medulas is an old Roman gold mine in northwestern Spain. Gold has been mined here hydraulically for almost 300 years, starting in the first century BC. Pliny the Elder wrote about this mine: "What is happening in Las Medulas is much harder than the work of the Titans."
Ancient engineers have come up with a unique way to extract gold ore using the power of water. This is the reason for the relief of Las Medulas. The Romans called this method "Montium Ruin", which translates as "mountain collapse". The bottom line was that water channels were carried to the mountains, the length of which reached hundreds of kilometers. Then they formed a reservoir at a height of at least seven hundred meters and broke through tunnels in the mountain they wanted to destroy. When the reservoir was filled, the water was drained through the canal. Moving at great speed through the tunnels, the water tore apart the mountain and the resulting mixture with gold ore fell into a special stepped channel with gorse bushes. The gold lingered on the bushes, and later they were burned, and the ashes were washed with gold.
Pliny the Elder wrote that 20,000 pounds of gold were mined in Las Medulas, and considering that gold had been mined here for about 250 years, a total of 1,635 tons were mined. These data are confirmed by modern archaeologists. In total, 10,000 to 60,000 people worked at the Las Medulas mines, performing extremely difficult and dangerous work.
In the 3rd century, the gold deposit was abandoned, and nature regained its rights in Las Medulas. Chestnuts and oaks grow all around, among which you can find a lot of roe deer and wild boars. And the destroyed rocks only adds to the uniqueness.
Nowadays, Las Medulas has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is open to all visitors. Before visiting, it is better to visit the archaeological center in the village of the same name, where you can learn more about the ancient methods of gold mining, as well as take a map of the trails. Ruins of Roman fortresses and settlements can be found on the territory, and traces of gold mining can be seen with your own eyes. To explore the surroundings, climb the Orellana observation deck (943 m), which offers a stunning panorama of Las Medulas.
