Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries: beauty and culture among stone blocks
The Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries is one of the lesser-known places in Minorca. It’s not even famous among fans of enormous rocks who come to the island in search of the vestiges of the Talayotic Culture of Minorca.
At first glance, the only thing that the vast blocks which make up the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries appear to have in common with prehistoric Talayotic structures is the use of stone. But this impression is deceptive because stone has been hugely important throughout Minorca’s long history and is definitely one of the keys to its culture and local heritage.
That’s why paying a visit to the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries is almost compulsory—especially since this space was declared an Asset of Ethnological Interest in 2017 and listed in the catalogue of the Historical Heritage of Minorca.
Minorca’s quarry
For centuries, the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries on the outskirts of Ciutadella were the great quarry of Minorca. In fact, it is known that marés sandstone (or limestone) rock was mined from this open pit for over 200 years, until 1994, and the stone was removed manually until the 1940s. Afterwards, the quarry was equipped with machinery. Today it has two very different areas to visit:
- The old manually-worked quarry;
- The modern machine-worked quarry.
Both boast remarkable scenery and are frequently used as a location for television commercials, advertising and artistic photo shootings and shows, among many other activities.
Furthermore, to comply with a law stating that mines of this type must be restored to nature once industrial activity has finished, many different plant species have been planted in the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries, creating beautiful gardens among the huge blocks of carved stone.
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Menorca
Occidental Menorca
- Excellent location by the sea
- Ideal for enjoying as a couple and family
- U-Spa Centre
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
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Menorca
Barceló Hamilton Menorca - Adults Only
- On the bay at Mahón port
- Spectacular terrace with spa pool
- Recommended by The Times
- The ideal place to celebrate rheuions and events
The gardens of the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries
The gardens of the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries were created to fulfil the legal requirement to replant the area. A series of orchards was added as various areas of the quarry were progressively retired from use. In addition, nature itself played a big role in the regeneration of the space, ‘taking control’ of many of the abandoned areas.
The result is a diverse series of gardens, each with a different layout and plant life. Three of them are grouped together under the name Labyrinth of the Orchards:
- The Medieval Garden: A type of walled garden such as those found in cloisters in the Middle Ages. It has parterres of medicinal plants and a small orchard set around a fountain and rose beds.
- The Plant Labyrinth: Visually connects to the previous garden. This circular, single-path garden is populated by aromatic plants that heighten visitors’ senses and transport them to a place of meditation.
- Botanical (or Biodiversity) Circuit: This completes the route through the Labyrinth of the Orchards. Throughout the route visitors discover interesting facts about the area’s geology, ethnology, botany and zoology thanks to information panels along the way.
The Mineral Labyrinth
Next to these garden mazes, flanked by enormous blocks of stone, is one of the big attractions of the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries: the Mineral Labyrinth.
This space was created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Líthica, the foundation responsible for managing and preserving the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries. Its designers—Laetitia Lara (France), Basile Ribas (Switzerland) and Nuria Román (Madrid, Spain)—were inspired by the mythical Labyrinth of the Minotaur. The Mineral Labyrinth is located at the bottom of the machine-worked quarry and has a square base with seven concentric paths. It has a total surface area of 800 m2, 600 m2 of which are covered by the labyrinth, which was built using the surrounding limestone blocks, thus helping to visually integrate the labyrinth into the rest of the quarries.
Sculpted spaces
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Fountain in Quarry
One of the main aims of the Líthica foundation, in terms of giving a sense of life and meaning to the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries, has been to convert it into a place used for art. Or, as they describe it, for land art.
Spaces have been fitted out so that different Spanish and international artists can develop their art here, limestone always featuring as the key material. At the same time, paths and new points of access have been opened up to make it easier for visitors to move around the different areas of the quarry.
Some of the most important artists who have worked at the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries include:
- Laetitia Lara, mentioned above, with her Mineral Labyrinth.
- Josu Larrañaga and his piece De memoria [From Memory].
- Bárbara de Rueda, with the work Canteras y azules [Quarries and Blues].
- Nuria Román who participated in the Mineral Labyrinth, also stands out for her work Coser la tierra [Sewing the Earth].
The culture of stone
As we mentioned earlier, the culture of stone is hugely important to Minorca. This is why one of the tasks of the Líthica foundation has been to: “publicise and spread awareness about the marés stone quarries of Minorca to boost knowledge in Minorcan society about the culture of stone.”
As part of this objective it also aims to connect with other areas of Europe and the rest of the world, “through the concept of stone landscapes and the cultural landscape.”
So visiting the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries is more than just a tourism activity. In reality, a visit helps to preserve the ancestral culture of Minorca and to establish links with similar cultures in other places around the world.
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Menorca
Occidental Menorca
- Excellent location by the sea
- Ideal for enjoying as a couple and family
- U-Spa Centre
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
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Menorca
Barceló Hamilton Menorca - Adults Only
- On the bay at Mahón port
- Spectacular terrace with spa pool
- Recommended by The Times
- The ideal place to celebrate rheuions and events
Information of interest
How to arrive
- By car: The Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries are in Camí Vell, km 1, about three kilometres from Ciutadella/Ciudadela port. You can drive there in about 10 minutes by taking the Ronda Norte (RC-1) or the Ronda Sur (RC-2).
- On foot: Walking in a straight line through the streets of Ciutadella to the quarries takes about 40 minutes.
Admission
High season, children (under 12) free. Check the price of adult tickets on the official website. In low season admission is free.
Tourist information
Related plans
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La Mola, a magnificent fortress next to the port of Mahón
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