The beauty of the Las Médulas landscape lies in a peculiar terrain formed by the human hand and the erosion of the land. This unique and dreamlike landscape is the result of mining in Las Médulas by the Roman Empire, 2000 years ago.
Las Médulas World Heritage Site
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Whether you are looking for wellness and relaxation experiences, or prefer to enjoy outdoor activities or adrenaline-filled experiences, here are some of the best things to do in Las Médulas.
During its advance towards the west of Hispania, between 30 and 40 BC, Rome expanded its borders to the region of El Bierzo (León) in search of the minerals necessary to glorify its great work and mint its coins. This period coincides with the beginning of the Roman Empire, when the silver denarius was replaced by the gold aureus, making this mineral a strategic asset for Rome. In the sedimentary deposits of the mountains that now form Las Médulas, the Romans found seams of gold dust. A hidden treasure and the origin of the fascinating figures that now stand tall over this territory.
Renowned for its remarkable mining knowledge and technical skills, Rome designed an ingenious system that complemented other techniques in gold mining. It was based on the creation of huge galleries through the injection of water in certain areas of the mountains. This method was known as ruina montium.
‘A work of giants’, as the Roman naturalist and military man Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) described it, which used water power to remove millions of cubic metres of earth in search of precious gold that would later be transported to the great cities of the empire. Gold mining at Las Médulas lasted around 200 years, from the end of the 1st century BCE to the beginning of the 3rd century CE.
The abandonment of mining in the second half of the 1st century CE due to the monetary crisis in Rome and the rise of more productive extraction methods, together with the passing of the millennia, has turned Las Médulas into a landscape that is as unique as it is valuable.
This scenery combines the extraordinary open-pit mining footprint with nature’s stunning reclamation of the land, which is why Las Médulas was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1996 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Pack your bags and prepare to have your curiosity piqued, because you are in for one of the most exciting trips of your life. Amidst the relics of a fascinating chapter in history, you will find trails and spots boasting lush nature. Oxygen for your lungs and light for your eyes to behold. In addition to incredible vistas and panoramic viewpoints, Las Médulas offers some of the best sunrises and sunsets in Spain.
You will notice an abundance of chestnut trees, which have been a permanent fixture at Las Médulas throughout the ages. With its thick, twisted trunk and spiky, hedgehog-like conker casings, the chestnut tree grows stout and full next to the oak tree, having borne witness to the passing of time due to its longevity. If it could speak, it could tell us about the many goings-on that took place here over the centuries. This tree in fact originated in Asia and was brought to the peninsula by the Romans. While it already existed in Las Médulas, the arrival of Rome led to the spread of its cultivation.
Inspiration for your trip
Explore the most emblematic spots at Las Médulas with itineraries to discover the exceptional natural values of the land and the cultural features of Las Médulas.
Walking the trails of the Cultural and Natural Space of Las Médulas is probably the most fun and rewarding way to explore its landscapes.
Be prepared to visit as many as you can, because they are home to traditional architecture made from the materials of the surrounding landscape.
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