The mercury mines of Almaden (Spain) and Idrija (Slovenia) recently included in UNESCO's Heritage List

The property includes the mining sites of Almadén, where mercury (quicksilver) has been extracted since Antiquity, and Idrija, where mercury was first found in 1490 A.D. The Spanish property includes buildings relating to its mining history, including Retamar Castle, religious buildings and traditional dwellings. The site in Idrija notably features mercury stores and infrastructure, as well as miners’ living quarters, and a miners’ theatre. The sites bear testimony to the intercontinental trade in mercury which generated important exchanges between Europe and America over the centuries. The two sites represent the two largest mercury mines in the world and were operational until recent times. (Source: UNESCO)

More information:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1313/

Mine shaft in Idrija. Picture Luis Jorda, 2002

SPANISH MINING MUSEUMS – TOURIST MINES

Abrimos una nueva seccion con articulos en inglés y francés. Un guiño logico, teniendo en cuenta la cantidad de turistas, viajeros y deportistas que visitan cada año nuestro pais.

SPANISH MINING MUSEUMS – TOURIST MINES

Spain has one of the most outstanding mining history and potential geological and mining tourism. Two decades ago there were very few visiting mines. Geological and mining tourism was something closed scientists and mineral collectors. Nowadays there is a growing interest in geology, minerals and mining heritage. We consider that the support of the European Community and local authorities to some of these projects has influenced on the former. At this moment there are more than thirty mines which can be visited by the public. Catalonia Community is the one with more mining tourist centers and current projects.

Abandoned mine: Nava de Riofrio, not far from the legendary Valle de Alcudia