Ornamental granites have been quarried in Sardinia since prehistoric times, gaining international recognition during the 20th century. However, the granite industry has experienced a sharp decline since the early 2000 leaving behind millions of cubic meters of granite waste accumulated along their perimeter. These waste deposits not only contribute to landscape degradation but also pose geotechnical hazards and potential risks of soil and groundwater contamination. Furthermore, the decline of this industry has reduced employment opportunities, accelerated youth outmigration and exacerbating demographic aging in Sardinia’s inland regions. In response, this study proposes a framework to valorize former quarry sites and their associated scraps by integrating environmental rehabilitation with geotourism and cultural heritage preservation. The recovery of critical and conventional raw materials from granite extractive waste needs a broader postextractive strategy. Quarry restoration in these contexts should extend beyond simple ecological restoration to incorporate functions related to tourism, culture, and environmental education. This approach entails both the preservation of the industrial and morphological identity of quarry landscapes and the development of multifunctional spaces that support sustainable local development. In Sardinia, the extractive industry is deeply intertwined with the archaeological and cultural heritage. Over 6800 archaeological sites, ranging from proto-nuraghes and domus de janas to menhirs and giants’ tombs— are documented throughout the region. In several areas, particularly in the Buddusò–Alà dei Sardi district, granite quarries and archaeological structures coexist spatially. This overlap, together with the strong cultural connection that local communities maintain with granite—evident in its extensive use in architecture and through events like the “Spirit of Rocks” festival—suggests the potential for identity-based, participatory planning processes. Drawing from international and local best practices, such as the rehabilitation of the Naxos marble quarry (Kaliampakos & Mavrikos, 2006) and the ‘visitor trail’ developed in the Orosei marble basin (Careddu et al., 2013), the creation of a ‘Granite Trail’ in the Buddusò–Alà dei Sardi district is proposed. This trail would connect disused quarrying sites with nearby archaeological landmarks, repurposing these spaces as open-air museums, educational hubs or cultural centers. Achieving this vision will require a coordinated, interdisciplinary planning effort involving geologists, archaeologists, urban planners, engineers, sociologists, public institutions, quarry operators, and local communities. This model of landscape transformation could serve as a replicable blueprint for other postindustrial regions seeking to reconcile environmental restoration with cultural and economic renewal.
Revitalizing quarry landscapes: geotourism and waste reuse in the Buddusò-Alà dei Sardi District
Aquilano Antonello
;Elena Marrocchino;Carmela Vaccaro
2025
Abstract
Ornamental granites have been quarried in Sardinia since prehistoric times, gaining international recognition during the 20th century. However, the granite industry has experienced a sharp decline since the early 2000 leaving behind millions of cubic meters of granite waste accumulated along their perimeter. These waste deposits not only contribute to landscape degradation but also pose geotechnical hazards and potential risks of soil and groundwater contamination. Furthermore, the decline of this industry has reduced employment opportunities, accelerated youth outmigration and exacerbating demographic aging in Sardinia’s inland regions. In response, this study proposes a framework to valorize former quarry sites and their associated scraps by integrating environmental rehabilitation with geotourism and cultural heritage preservation. The recovery of critical and conventional raw materials from granite extractive waste needs a broader postextractive strategy. Quarry restoration in these contexts should extend beyond simple ecological restoration to incorporate functions related to tourism, culture, and environmental education. This approach entails both the preservation of the industrial and morphological identity of quarry landscapes and the development of multifunctional spaces that support sustainable local development. In Sardinia, the extractive industry is deeply intertwined with the archaeological and cultural heritage. Over 6800 archaeological sites, ranging from proto-nuraghes and domus de janas to menhirs and giants’ tombs— are documented throughout the region. In several areas, particularly in the Buddusò–Alà dei Sardi district, granite quarries and archaeological structures coexist spatially. This overlap, together with the strong cultural connection that local communities maintain with granite—evident in its extensive use in architecture and through events like the “Spirit of Rocks” festival—suggests the potential for identity-based, participatory planning processes. Drawing from international and local best practices, such as the rehabilitation of the Naxos marble quarry (Kaliampakos & Mavrikos, 2006) and the ‘visitor trail’ developed in the Orosei marble basin (Careddu et al., 2013), the creation of a ‘Granite Trail’ in the Buddusò–Alà dei Sardi district is proposed. This trail would connect disused quarrying sites with nearby archaeological landmarks, repurposing these spaces as open-air museums, educational hubs or cultural centers. Achieving this vision will require a coordinated, interdisciplinary planning effort involving geologists, archaeologists, urban planners, engineers, sociologists, public institutions, quarry operators, and local communities. This model of landscape transformation could serve as a replicable blueprint for other postindustrial regions seeking to reconcile environmental restoration with cultural and economic renewal.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
