Arditurri, Mining complex in Oiartzun, Spain
Arditurri is a former mining site in the mountains of Gipuzkoa with tunnels and shafts that penetrate deep into the hillside. An interpretation center displays historical equipment and explains the techniques used to extract iron ore.
Iron ore extraction began in the late 1800s and shaped the region for several decades. Operations continued with evolving methods until production stopped around the mid-1900s.
The site reflects how the Basque region developed through mining and resource extraction from the mountains. The structures and passages visible today tell the story of the people who worked here and shaped the landscape.
Guided tours take visitors through the tunnels and show what conditions were like underground. Wear appropriate clothing as the passages are cool and damp, and check opening times before visiting.
The tunnels still display old mining tools and machines that miners operated by hand or simple power. These objects reveal how physically demanding and risky the work was for those who labored below ground.
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