Almadén
Curated by Maggie Liu · Updated:
Almadén, in Spain, was the largest mercury mine in history — the world's greatest cinnabar deposit.
About Almadénextended article
Almadén, in Spain, is the largest mercury deposit ever worked — the source of roughly a third of all the mercury ever produced by humankind — over more than two thousand years.
The historic Almadén mercury district
Almadén's extraordinary cinnabar orebodies were worked from Roman times until the late 20th century. The mine and its landscape are a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognising this unique mining heritage.
Signature minerals
Almadén is the classic source of cinnabar — vivid red crystals and masses — together with native mercury. Fine Almadén cinnabar is a historic and sought-after collector mineral.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Almadén?
Almadén is a mineral locality in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It lies at approximately 38.7700°N, 4.8300°W. Elevation is about 590 m.
What minerals are found at Almadén?
Signature minerals from Almadén include Cinnabar. The locality lies in Castile-La Mancha, Spain, and each mineral links to a full reference entry with formula, crystal system, and collector notes.
What is Almadén known for?
Almadén, in Spain, was the largest mercury mine in history — the world's greatest cinnabar deposit.
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