Las Medulas
About the place
Las Medulas is a mountain range whose topography was reshaped in the 1st century AD through the Roman technique known as - ruina montium. A system of canals delivered water to the hilltops, using pressure to collapse the earth and extract gold ore. This process resulted in the distinctive red rock formations and caves that are now surrounded by chestnut groves. Historians estimate that approximately 800 tons of gold were extracted during its operation. The Orellan viewpoint provides a complete view of the mining area, which stands as a monument to ancient Roman engineering.
