Appearing like an alien landscape, the Parys Mountain in Wales is actually an open copper mine that dates back to the Bronze Age.

The site was most active in the late 18th century, and at that time for the British was the main source of copper. The mine even played a part in Nelson’s Battle of Trafalgar victory, where the British ships had an advantage with their hulls protected with copper from the Parys Mountain.

Today there is a trail around the now defunct mine, and tours of the mine itself can be arranged through the Parys Underground Group. The soil in the area is still very contaminated from the years of industrial activity, so few plants grow on the reddish dirt.