As part of our Sicilian honeymoon we visited the Aeolian island of Lipari. One day we hired bikes and rode around the entire island, stumbling across the abandoned pumice mines in the north.
Due to the volcanic origins of the islands there is a lot of pumice and obsidian around. The mining of these was a lucrative business, so much so that the pirate Barbossa (Redbeard) plundered the castle to get his hands on some. The mines were an important industry for the inhabitants of Lipari and they exported all over the world. In 2000 the Aeolian Islands were designated a World Heritage site and the mines were closed in 2000 under pressure from UNESCO, although the Pumex Society had their mine confiscated in 2007 after they were found to still be illegally mining.
Good explore with Jenny, although the place was pretty gutted it was interesting walking around somewhere that was completely white or covered in white. Apologies for quality of pictures, was shooting with a 'holiday-proof' tough camera and had no tripod!
Bonus post-explore praying mantis
Due to the volcanic origins of the islands there is a lot of pumice and obsidian around. The mining of these was a lucrative business, so much so that the pirate Barbossa (Redbeard) plundered the castle to get his hands on some. The mines were an important industry for the inhabitants of Lipari and they exported all over the world. In 2000 the Aeolian Islands were designated a World Heritage site and the mines were closed in 2000 under pressure from UNESCO, although the Pumex Society had their mine confiscated in 2007 after they were found to still be illegally mining.
Good explore with Jenny, although the place was pretty gutted it was interesting walking around somewhere that was completely white or covered in white. Apologies for quality of pictures, was shooting with a 'holiday-proof' tough camera and had no tripod!
Bonus post-explore praying mantis
