Established in the 1st century AD, Las Medulas is a historic gold mining site in El Bierzo that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once the largest open-pit gold mine in the Roman Empire and still bears the scars of “ruina montium”, a hydraulic mining technique that was described by Pliny the Elder.
For spectacular views across this cultural landscape, head to the Galerias de Orellan, a series of ancient mining tunnels that connect to a lookout platform. Hiking trails lead between the craggy red rocks of Las Medulas and tours are available for exploring its impressive caves.
To learn more about the site, head to the Aula Arqueologica de las Medulas, which features an exhibit detailing the mining techniques used here over two centuries. Discover how its rolling green hills were transformed into the dramatic red pinnacles seen today, with more than 800 tons of gold extracted in the process.
Getting there
Las Medulas is 30 minutes’ drive from Ponferrada and just under three hours from Valladolid. Leon Airport is 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across Spain. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Las Medulas.