CAVE DI TUFO

The quarries, possibly already used in Roman times, occupy the north-western zone of the island . Tuff stone was for centuries one of the largest sources of earnings for the population. Organised in small groups, skilled miners, helped by labourers, carters and mariners extracted the stone which was widely used in the building industry. The extraction, over centuries has radically changed the appearance of the landscape of the island. There are many enchanting views including quarries, caves, hollows, and erosion resulting from the patient unceasing work of the pirriatura (pickmen). In particular, the quarries and caves of  Cala Rossa have intricate and impressive “pileri” (pilaster) constructions which are typical of the quarries.