Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija

Overview

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.

Selection Criteria

(ii)(iv)

Components(12 locations)

• •Idrija – Kamšt water pump with the Rake water channel and Kobila dam1313rev-008
• •Idrijska Bela – Belca Water Barrier on the Belca creek (or Brus`s Water Barrier)1313rev-012
• •Bullring1313rev-005
• •Almadén- Old Town1313rev-001
• •Idrija – Old Town1313rev-006
• •Royal Forced Labour Gaol1313rev-003
• •Idrija – Smelting Plant1313rev-007
• •Mina del Castillo Buildings1313rev-002
• •Vojsko – Idrijca Water Barrier1313rev-010
• •San Rafael Royal Hospital for Miners1313rev-004
• •Gorenja Kanomilja – Kanomilja or Ovcjak Water Barrier1313rev-009
• •Idrijska Bela – Putrih’s Water Barrier on the Belca creek1313rev-011

Details

Countries

Spain, Slovenia

ISO Codes

ES, SI

Area

104.1 ha

Transboundary

Yes

Coordinates

38.7753, -4.8389