For centuries, the Lithica Quarry of s’Hostal provided the calcarenite building blocks for the traditional architecture on the island of Menorca, Spain. The intensive use of the quarry led to the formation of a carved, sculptural landscape spanning 5 hectares of the island’s countryside. Since the mine’s closure in 1994, the Lithica Foundation initiated and managed a long-term sustainable redevelopment and restoration plan to transform the mine into a dynamic space for environmental, artistic, and cultural activities.
The Lithica Quarry of s’Hostal is a sculptured area carved out of the landscape; an architectural and sculptural creation in the rock
The marés quarries are hand-dug sites where stone and vegetation coexist, creating organic shapes and diverse environments. This vast garden is the result of the interaction between humans and nature. For centuries, the people of Menorca extracted marés, a type of sandstone, for use in buildings, churches, monuments, mansions, and traditional country houses. Marés is permeable, with varying consistency and porosity, and is found in the southern part of Menorca. The quarries, where mining ceased in 1994, likely operated for over 200 years. In the newer section of the quarries, renowned for its excellent acoustics, concerts are held. Meanwhile, the older section is home to a park and a small botanical garden.
The transformation of the site into a welcoming destination for visitors required a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. After its closure, the quarry underwent extensive cleaning and clearing, followed by the design of a path system. Security walls and barriers were built, and essential utilities like electricity, lighting, and water were installed. To enhance accessibility and provide information, a pavilion for services and interpretation was constructed, along with ramps and stairs. Visitors can now explore this one-of-a-kind landscape, meandering through newly created paths and gardens, now flourishing with fruit trees and native plants. Recent additions include a large stone maze and a herb labyrinth, both completed in 2014, and the paths within the Labyrinth of Orchards, finished in 2018.
