From €220

Las Médulas: in the footsteps of the Roman Empire

Code: 235

THE TRIP

An experience to remember

Las Médulas is much more than a spectacular landscape. They are one of the greatest testimonies of the Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula, a place where history has been engraved on the earth for more than two thousand years. Mountains shaped by Roman engineering, ancient canals, historical trails and archaeological remains make this corner of El Bierzo an authentic trip to the past.

During this experience we will discover the most emblematic spaces of Las Médulas, walking its most representative trails and places while we know the extraordinary work of engineering that allowed extracting gold for the Roman Empire. The adventure will continue aboard a 4×4 vehicle to explore the ancient mining sites and understand the magnitude of one of the most important gold mining operations in antiquity. A perfect trip for those who want to delve into the history, heritage and cultural roots of El Bierzo.

STEP BY STEP

Itinerary

Day 1. The Roman Legacy of Las Médulas

Arrival in Canedo and free time to enjoy the natural environment of Lago de Carucedo, a space closely linked to the mining history and the landscape surrounding Las Médulas.
Afterwards, a guided tour will take you to the heart of this World Heritage Site, touring the Valiñas and Lake Somido in Las Médulas, two essential places to understand the dimension of the largest open-pit gold mining in the Roman Empire.
During the tour, travellers will discover how the Romans transformed the territory through advanced hydraulic engineering techniques, using water as a personalised mentoring tool and creation of innovative tourism product fundamental to gold mining. Through the interpretation of the landscape, they will learn about the organisation of mining activity, the life associated with these exploitations and the deep imprint that this historical legacy has left on the identity of El Bierzo. Accommodation with breakfast in 4* hotel.

Day 2. Archaeology and territory

After breakfast, the experience continues with a 4×4 vehicle tour through different sites and spaces linked to Roman mining activity. Accompanied by heritage specialists, travellers will venture into lesser known areas of the environment to discover the complexity of this great mining system and understand how the territory was articulated more than two thousand years ago.
The route will allow you to interpret the archaeological remains, the ancient canals and the traces that still remain in the landscape, offering a broader view of the mining complex of Las Médulas and its importance within the Roman world.
The experience will end with a traditional lunch based on the Botillo berciano, an opportunity to also get closer to the gastronomic heritage of the region and complete the trip through its flavors and traditions. End of services.