Minas de Salagasta - abandoned treasure

Just a couple kilometers from Mendoza, the famous capital of Argentinian wine, somewhere in between the hills, there is a small route that turns from RN52 into the wild. If you brave enough to take it, perhaps just out of curiosity, perhaps already knowing what can you find at the end, you can end up in the spot that hides incredible history.

At first, you will notice some bricks here and there, maybe among them you will identify the shape of the house. That's the workers homes, storages for the tools, separate building for the kitchen and dining room. It's not just one or two buildings. Even though I wouldn't say you should explain the ruins that expands into the terrain bigger than Macchu Picchu, it's definitely bigger than Bykle town, where I live right now.

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Abandoned, forgotten, covered in dust and plants, slowly reclaiming their property back. Although some tourists come here, mostly inspired by the stories of locals they have met, it's still easier to find here a lama than some gringo making photos.

There are also tunnels of the mining. Generations ago, people were trying to get the copper, gold, and a few other, less important minerals from the rich Andean rocks. Now, the main source of exploitation are the foreigners, and as in the past the mine was serving rich to get richer, not having significant impact on the life of the poorest, nowadays happens the same. "What should be our common treasure, the heritage of all people from Mendoza, once again is privatized in the name of income, and access to it is limited" - said my great friend and a guide, when he noticed someone made a gate with the padlock on the entrance. For years, entering the mine was for free, now it's possible only with the guide, after paying approximately 20 USD. The money does not go to the city or region but remain in private hands of someone rich enough to buy the land.

Luckily the nature is still for free. Let's enjoy it, before it will be destroyed in the name of capitalism or someone will have a great idea to privatize panorama too.

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