Discover the first crystal in history: lapis specularis. Delve into the heart of Roman civilisation and discover how cities like Segobriga, Huete, and Ercávica emerged. Explore the galleries of the Sanabrio Cave on a guided tour with an archaeologist.

In the province of Cuenca, find a series of Roman-era mining complexes of “Lapis Specularis” (a crystallized mineral). These possibly constitute one of the largest collections of ancient mines in the world, and one of the best preserved today. One of these mines is the so-called Sanabrio Cave between Saceda del Río and Huete.

In the Sanabrio Caves, visit two mines; both are easily accessible to the general public. The first cave is known as the Cave of the Knives. The unique lighting in this room gives the precious material an almost magical quality. The second cave shows an extraction system in the form of galleries that converge in a central space. Here, a helmet and torch (included in the visit) are required to tour the ancient galleries where the Romans extracted lapis specularis. As you delve deeper into the mine, observe the marks left by the miners' choices, the remains of how the mine was lit in ancient times, and the architectural solutions used in Roman mining.

It's important to note that these mines are archaeological sites and therefore help us understand what life was like for a segment of society in the Roman Empire, as the splendour of a city like Segobriga is based on the work of thousands of miners who exploited this economic activity for approximately two centuries.