From €340

Las Médulas: a journey through time

Code: 236

THE TRIP

An experience to remember

Las Médulas are much more than a spectacular landscape, they are one of the great testimonies of the Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula, where history has been engraved on the earth for more than two thousand years. Red mountains, medieval castles and archaeological remains make this corner of El Bierzo an authentic trip to the past, where we will discover its most emblematic places such as Las Médulas, Ponferrada and Cornatel, in a tour that combines history, landscape and gastronomy to live the most authentic essence of this unique territory.

STEP BY STEP

Itinerary

Day 1. The origin of a millennial story

Arrival in Canedo and free time to enjoy the natural environment surrounding the accommodation.
Afterwards, guided visit to Las Médulas, one of the most unique cultural landscapes in Europe and declared a World Heritage Site. The tour of the Valiñas, Lake Somido and personalised mentoring plan and creation of innovative tourism product the Mirador de Orellán will allow you to discover the spectacular transformation of the territory caused by Roman mining activity and understand the relationship between nature and human intervention.
Through the interpretation of the landscape, the techniques used by the Romans for the extraction of gold will be known, as well as the historical importance of this enclave within the Roman Empire. Accommodation with breakfast at the 4* hotel.

Day 2. Castles and fortresses of Bierzo

After breakfast, the day will be dedicated to know the defensive heritage of El Bierzo through some of its most emblematic monuments. The guided tour of the Upper Zone of Ponferrada will allow you to discover the history of the city and its close relationship with the Order of the Temple, knowing the impressive Castle of the Templars and its strategic role in the medieval routes.
The experience will continue towards the Castle of Cornatel, one of the most representative fortresses of the region, located in a privileged enclave from which much of the Bertian territory is dominated. During the visit you will know its origins, its historical evolution and the importance it had as a point of surveillance and defense. Return to accommodation.

Day 3. Traces of Rome

After breakfast, the experience will end with an interpretive route by 4×4 vehicle through the different archaeological sites and spaces linked to the Roman mining of Las Médulas. Accompanied by specialists, travellers will be able to access lesser known places of the environment and understand the complexity of one of the largest gold mining systems of antiquity.
The tour will allow you to discover old canals, exploitation areas and remains that still preserve the memory of an activity that transformed the Bertian landscape forever.
The experience will conclude with a traditional lunch of Botillo berciano, an opportunity to also get closer to the local gastronomy and complete the journey through the most authentic flavors of El Bierzo. End of services.