38.7792, -1.6995
Almadén, Idrija, Spain, Slovenia
The property includes the mining sites of Almadén (Spain), where mercury (quicksilver) has been extracted since antiquity, and Idrija (Slovenia), where mercury was first found in AD1490. 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. Together they represent the two largest mercury mines in the world, operational until recent times.
This serial UNESCO property is modeled through the Almadén Mining Park as the strongest current public-visit anchor. Reservations are generally required 48 hours in advance.
Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija is a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site in Almadén, Castile-La Mancha, Spain, and Idrija, Slovenia. The property encompasses two mercury mining sites. In Almadén mercury has been extracted since Antiquity, while in Idrija it was first found in 1490.
Read more on Wikipedia →Summary excerpted from the Wikipedia article Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be clipped or paraphrased to fit this page.