The Otranto Bauxite Quarry is one of those places you have to see at least once in your life: those colour contrasts, the majestic nature, the moonscape.
But what are we talking about? It is one of the most beautiful places in Salento, as evocative as it is mysterious, around which stories and legends revolve, giving the place even more charm. The picturesque landscape is characterised by an emerald-green lake surrounded by irregular red-hued knolls and dense Mediterranean scrub vegetation, that emanates scents of herbs and aromatic plants.
But before talking about this precious pearl of Salento, let’s find out what the bauxite quarries are.
What is the Bauxite Quarry?
Bauxite is a sedimentary rock, mainly used for the production of aluminium.
It takes its name from the town of Les Baux-de-Provence in southern France, where the first mines were opened in 1822. Bauxite is characterised by the presence of several minerals, including aluminium and iron oxides and hydroxides. The colour of bauxite is dark red with irregular whitish spots.
So why is it called a bauxite quarry? It is called a bauxite quarry because it is where this particular rock, bauxite, is mined.
The History of the Otranto Bauxite Quarry
The discovery of the bauxite deposit in the Otranto quarry and the start of mining took place in 1940 and ended in 1976, due to the high cost of extraction. Over the years since then, the quarry that we see today has been created. The much-photographed bauxite lake is nothing more than the sum of water seepage from one of the many aquifers in Salento.
Due to the presence of bauxite and the reflecting vegetation, the water has taken on a deep emerald green colour. Thus, the landscape is so vibrant and picturesque that it takes your breath away.
Bauxite Quarry
The Legend of the Bauxite Quarry
Like many of Salento’s points of interest, the Bauxite Quarry is linked to a tragic legend involving Asmodeide, betrothed to Theophant. The young woman hid a terrible secret that caused her anxiety and anguish: that of dreaming of the future during the night with terrible visions, but unfortunately she could not change the future in any way.
On her 15th birthday, after planning her wedding with her fiancé Theophant, she decided to go to her favourite place, just outside the walls of Otranto. There she met a shadow that came closer and closer to her, until it revealed itself. It was Destiny, dressed as an old shepherd, who urged her not to marry Theophant or he would pay dearly for her, since, according to him, she was already his betrothed. Furthermore, he warned her that if she married
Theophan ,on her wedding night, the attic would collapse on him, killing him.
The girl paid no heed to Fate and decided to marry Theophant anyway. Unfortunately that night, despite an attempt to save the newlywed, Asmodeid failed and he died in the rubble. Asmodeid, angry and heartbroken, returned to the quarry where Fate awaited her. He accused her of trying to change the future and that she would be his anyway. She, however, did not give in to him and decided to throw herself into the pit rather than go with him. Subsequently, water began to pour out of the hole, filling the basin and creating the lake.
Is it possible to bathe in the bauxite quarries?
The bauxite lake is absolutely not swimmable, in fact, it is not possible to dive in to bathe. The reason is very simple, the water is stagnant and there is bauxite residue inside, so it is neither safe nor healthy.
Is it necessary to book in advance to visit Bauxite Quarry?
The Otranto Bauxite Quarry is an open-air natural site, there are no visiting hours, you can enter freely without any reservation and at no cost. At most, you have to pay a parking ticket of 3 euros.
How long does it take to visit the Bauxite Quarry in Otranto?
There is no set time to visit the Bauxite Quarry in Otranto. It is an open site with no timetable so visits can take half an hour, 10 minutes or two hours, depending on your willingness. Unless you want to take part in an organised tour of the Bauxite Quarry or an excursion on horseback.
How to get to the Otranto Bauxite Quarry?
The Bauxite Quarry is located about 2.6 km from Otranto and can be reached by car from either Lecce, Otranto or other neighbouring towns. It can also be reached on foot from Otranto in about half an hour.
Bauxite Quarry Otranto how to get there from Lecce by car
To get to the Bauxite Quarry in Otranto from Lecce take the SS16 Adriatica and follow it until you reach the junction for Maglie Centro / Otranto. From here, continue along the SS16 Adriatica to Otranto and then continue along the SP87, following the signs for Santa Cesarea Terme / Porto Badisco. After a few metres, take a small country road that becomes unpaved further on. Leave your car in the car park and continue on foot to the right until you reach the bauxite lake.
What is the best way to see the Bauxite Quarry?
The best way to see the Bauxite Quarry is to walk around it and look at it from both above and below, so that you can admire it in all its facets. In fact, continuing in the direction of the sea, there is a very short path that leads to the lowest point and from which one can admire it from another perspective.
What to see around the Bauxite Quarry in Otranto
The Bauxite Quarry is located in an area full of things to see: some of the most beautiful places in Salento are right here!
Therefore, we suggest you do not miss these places:
- the village of Otranto;
- the Orte;
- the Serpe Tower;
- the Alimini Lakes;
- the Alimini beach;
- the Palascìa Lighthouse;
- the Baia dei Turchi;
- the Faraglioni of Sant’Andrea;
- Torre dell’Orso and the Due Sorelle beach;
- the Grotta della Poesia.
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