The Coining House, Segovia, Royal mint in San Lorenzo, Segovia, Spain.
The Coining House is a former factory located along the Eresma River in the San Lorenzo district, where coins were produced using water-powered machinery. The building itself consists of stone structures and contains rooms with different mechanical systems for the various stages of coin manufacturing.
The mint was built in 1583 under orders from King Philip II, who brought in specialists from the Tyrol region to introduce advanced coin-making technology. This establishment helped transform Spain's approach to producing its currency.
This mint played a key role in Spain's economy for centuries, and visitors can still observe the technical methods that were used to shape coins. The water from the river powered the machinery that made mass production possible in the building.
The building sits on Calle la Moneda and functions today as a museum where you can view historic machinery and coin collections from different eras. It is relatively easy to reach and provides insight into how industrial production worked in the past.
The building still preserves its original 16th-century water wheels, which were designed based on concepts created by Leonardo da Vinci. These old mechanical systems remain visible today and demonstrate how early industrial engineering actually operated.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
