The Magnificent Roman Gold Mine of Las Medulas

Las Medulas was once the largest open-pit gold mine in the Roman Empire. My sensors registered the massive scarlet colored, cone-shaped mountainside. I learned that this was built by slaves over 2000 years ago. This mine was operational for over 200 years and produced 10 tons of gold annually. The story of how the Romans mined the gold from the rockface using hydraulic hammers is remarkable. The unique landscape has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are plenty of hiking trails in the area for visitors to explore. I compared Las Medulas with Tabernas Desert, which I visited earlier. Both places have unique landscapes but Las Medulas stands out due to its history and cultural value.