Lithica Quarry in Menorca

We have just had a very enjoyable week long holiday in Menorca. One place which I visited was Lithica Quarry.  This is run by a foundation dedicated to preserving the heritage of Menorca's limestone quarries.  Lithica quarry is extraordinarily beautiful, due the exposure of this bright white building material at such a scale.   I walked there from the bus stop in Ciutadella, and as you head out into the dusty countryside, you think 'where IS this place?'.  Then all of a sudden, you come to the unassuming entrance, pay your fee, and the ground opens up below you.

The quarry has been organised into a series of gardens.  These are very wild, and as well as providing some much needed shade, they add to the prehistoric look of the setting. At points, I felt like I was looking at Mayan ruins in Mexico, or that I was in a scene in Jurassic Park.

The marks of the machinery and people who worked here are in evidence. There are patterns of vertical slits all the way up several of the vast walls, indicating the size of blocks which were extracted. At points, you can see sets of steps which the employees would have used to access the quarry. Not only does this emphasise the sheer scale of the quarry, but highlights how dangerous a working environment it would have been.

The stone maze is a real feature. I have a slight fear of mazes - the thought of not being able to leave makes me panic - but it was fun watching others find their way. The setting is simply extraordinary, it looks like it is from a Sci-Fi movie. If you are visiting Menorca on holiday, I really recommend seeing the Lithica Quarry. It is fantastic both for adults and children.  (Make sure you take plenty of water and schedule your visit for a cooler part of the day - but if you do this, it is a lovely retreat from the sun, with plenty of shaded areas).