Our visitor reviews

"During my short time spent on Favignana, I sought to discover and learn about places linked to the history and economy of this small and wonderful island. Cycling around, I saw numerous signs of calcarenite extraction (many call it tufa, but they're wrong!), and I looked further to find a quarry open to visitors. The name inspired me, and I booked a visit on a warm Wednesday afternoon, August 28th. Salvatore (Tore) welcomed me and led me to a breathtaking place, beneath the small building that displays information about the site at the gate. This is Favignana's only underground quarry, from which building blocks were extracted entirely by hand with rudimentary tools (first and foremost, the 'mannara') until just a few years ago, and which has only been open to the public for a few weeks. I listened avidly for over an hour to Tore's account, who explained how this material has been extracted on Favignana since ancient times using different methods that I won't explain here and now, giving anyone interested the chance to discover it as I did. I recommend it more highly than almost anything else because it represents the 'negative' of the island (that is, the void created to build the 'fullness' of Favignana's buildings, and beyond). 10 out of 10 (and I'm sure that over time, and based on the projects I heard about, it will soon become even more beautiful!)."

"A wonderful experience... you step into a different world and immediately breathe in a special atmosphere. The mastery of the extraction has created artistically stunning environments that captivate you step by step.

Inside this 'Cathedral', you also find a series of pools that recreate the marine environment... absolutely fascinating. The comprehensive explanation transports your mind back to that time and makes you appreciate this site even more. Thank you. Do stop and see the various videos to enjoy a complete experience. A beautiful project and well done."

"You pass a hypogean garden, descend a few steps, perhaps ten metres below, and then the magnificence of 'the cathedral' unfolds before you. The 'light paintings' don't come from colourful stained glass windows. There are none here. But the beams of illumination still dance across the squared calcarenite walls. I hope you have the privilege, as we did, of having Tore as your guide. He is the one who has gathered the history of this quarry, and following his tour, you'll realise that within these chiselled walls, the vivid hardships, drops of sweat, anger, and (few) joys of Mastro Francisco, known as 'the President', still linger. You'll also discover from the recorded voice of an islander – Maria Guccione – what tools the 'pirriaturi' used; you'll be surprised to hear the harmonious sound emitted by the 'cantuno'; and you'll be amazed at how highly acoustic a calcarenite environment is.

So much so that perhaps soon, within these hushed and solemn walls, already naturally sound-absorbing, concerts will be held, or who knows, perhaps you'll be greeted by other... delightful surprises. And the wonder continues..."

"A surreal place, brought back to life thanks to the skilled work of Tore Ferrante. You can immerse yourself in a magical experience, visit the quarry with its interplay of light (both natural and artificial), listening to stories and interviews that take you back in time. A must-see for anyone visiting Favignana!"