Mines of Lavrion

It is worth visiting the ancient mines with their tunnels and shafts.

However, what is even more impressive are the ancient reservoirs and ore-washing facilities. The term “washing facility” refers to the system used in antiquity to separate silver from the ore.

These are large, rectangular structures, partly carved and partly built. Many are remarkably well-preserved.

According to the Lavrion Mining Museum, the ore mined from the tunnels was a mixture of minerals.

The washing facilities, which recycled rainwater to save costs, were used to purify the ore by removing impurities before it was smelted.