Τhe mines of Lavrion tour

General information

Destination	Category
Athens, Greece	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Come and learn all about both the ancient and modern history surrounding the area of Laurium as we visit this fascinating mining town.

Set on the barren desert coastline in the south-eastern part of Attica, the mines at Laurium are the oldest known mines in Europe, dating back to 3,000 BC. The wealth of the Greek society was founded on the mining of huge deposits of silver. Shiver when you imagine the scene as you look down the ‘lavras’ (narrow tunnels) of the mines, where thousands of slaves worked to extract the silver under terrible conditions.

The mines were abandoned from the 6th to the 19th century when they were reopened and zinc and lead were also mined along with the silver. The area was a vibrant wealthy place until 1982 when the mineral deposits were finally exhausted and the town went into economic decline. But in the late 90s tourism became a new source of income with the development of the port area and due to the natural beauty and historical interest of the mines in the area.

So join us on this journey back in time to explore the mines and learn all about the rich history of Laurium. As you plunge into the darkness of the mines, it is bound to be an enlightening tour. Alongside your knowledgeable guide, well-versed in the fascinating history of this site, you will walk back out to daylight as a true expert on an essential part Athenian history.

Meeting/pick-up point: Pick-up at the hotel.
Duration: Nine and-a-half hours.
Start/opening time: At 8am.
End/closing time: At 5.30pm.
Languages: English, French, German and Italian.