Borrenes and Las Médulas – Traces of Roman Mining History

Las Médulas is the most important tourist attraction in the municipality of Borrenes. In December 1997, the area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Landscape and Archaeology

Las Médulas is a Roman gold-mining area that was exploited from the 1st century AD using water power. The Las Médulas Archaeological Zone covers more than 2,000 hectares and includes mines, spoil heaps, reservoirs and canals. The Las Médulas Archaeological Park extends across the municipalities of Borrenes, Carucedo and Puente de Domingo Flórez. The Mirador de Las Médulas is located in Orellán and offers panoramic views of the gorges and rock formations of Las Médulas.

History

The archaeological heritage of Las Médulas within the municipality of Borrenes includes El Castro o La Corona del Cerco de Borrenes and the Castrelín de San Juan de Paluezas. The Castrelín is an Asturian hillfort on a promontory above the River Sil, overlooking the river floodplain and offering far-reaching views across El Bierzo. The Castro de Borrenes dates from the final phase of the local population’s independence from Roman rule; its wall is particularly impressive. The Castro is considered evidence that the arrival of the Romans was not a peaceful event for the native population. The Asentamiento Metalúrgico de Orellán was founded under Roman rule and inhabited by local residents who worked in the mines. The Castrelín de San Juan de Paluezas and the Asentamiento Metalúrgico de Orellán are among the five sites highlighted by the municipality of Borrenes for visits to Las Médulas.

Pilgrimage History

The Camino de Santiago de Invierno passes through the municipality of Borrenes. The route is 258 kilometres long and comprises nine stages between Ponferrada and Santiago de Compostela. At the entrance to Borrenes stood the Casa Hospital de Peregrinos pilgrims’ hospital from the 16th century; it was abandoned at the end of the 18th century. Around 1580, the Casa Hospital de Peregrinos was founded by the Merindad de Cornatelo to care for pilgrims on their way to Santiago. A particularly impressive scenic route leads from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela along the Camino de Invierno, passing through Priaranza and Cornatel Castle, descending towards Borrenes and finally leading to Las Médulas.

On the Way

From the Mirador de Las Médulas, access leads to the Galería de Orellán, where the interior of this Roman engineering structure can be visited. The Senda Perimetral is an approximately 11-kilometre circular route in the Las Médulas area and is suitable for mountain biking. The L1 Senda Perimetral is a 10.5-kilometre circular route that runs on foot or by bicycle through the Las Médulas Natural Monument and covers the municipalities of Borrenes, Carucedo and Puente de Domingo Flórez. After climbing from Orellán, the L1 Senda Perimetral leads to the Canal de Peña Escribida. For the L1, it is recommended to start in Orellán; further access points are available at the Casa del Parque de Carucedo.

When comparing holiday apartments in Borrenes, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the offer pages. Depending on your personal travel plans, you can take into account your preferred focus on archaeology, pilgrimage history, trails or local culture for your trip.

Local Culture

The Aula del Castaño is located in the building of Borrenes’ former school and is a thematic centre dedicated to the history of the chestnut and its spread throughout the El Bierzo comarca. Chestnut fruit historically played a role in food and trade in the El Bierzo comarca and its surroundings. In Borrenes, festivals are held in January in honour of San Vicente, on the first Sunday after Easter in honour of the Virgen de la Vega, and in June in honour of San Antonio. Galician is regularly used among the inhabitants of Borrenes.

Other places to discover include Las Lamas, Serrilla, Balouta, Santa Colomba de Curueño, Pradorrey, Valdealcón, Prioro and San Adrián.

To the higher-level travel overview: León.