The Iron Mines of Alquife (Guadix)

A farm that started the extraction of minerals during the Roman Empire were the first inhabitants that captured the importance of iron deposits.  The old mines of Alquife which is an open deposit, is considered to be the largest in Europe of its class and is the main attraction of the town.  The mine was operational until 1996 and its history has been linked to the extraction of minerals since the days of the Roman Empire. The mine monument located at the entrance of the municipality, gives a good reflections of it. Next to the town is now an abandoned mining town that even had  a church. Inside the mine has formed a lake by the flow of groundwater, which currently is a reservoir with a depth of about 30 meters of water. The huge crater is a natural part of the landscape.