Heavy frost in Las Médulas, Spain

© Juan Carlos Muñoz/age fotostock

Heavy frost in Las Médulas, Spain

Winter frost on the ground at Las Médulas in northwest Spain adds new colour to an already unusual landscape. When this region was part of the Roman Empire, Las Médulas was a massive open-pit goldmine. Using a hydraulic mining technique, the Roman workers pumped water into the mountains, letting the pressure push open the veins where gold could be panned out. It altered the local environment and remains of the ancient Roman mining operation are still at the site.