Tucked away on the southern reaches of the Samaná Peninsula in the Dominican Republic, a rustic, unpaved pathway winds past secluded beaches and lush tropical landscapes, which due to their sheer remoteness remain throng-free all year round. The sole place that contrasts this pure wilderness is an active marble mine, viewed by some as an unsightly blemish, while others see it as a quirky attraction worth exploring.
By: Omri Westmark
Date: 11:51 15.11.24
Last Update: 11:51 15.11.24
With its fine grain and resilience, marble has long been prized for its architectural elegance and durability. Historically, marble quarries were exploited for their rich, dense stone, lending their distinct veining to monuments, public buildings, and private houses.
While there are copious mines around the world where marble is harvested, a mining site near the town of Las Galeras in the Dominican Republic is among the most accessible ones, offering any passers-by a glimpse of this ancient tradition.
Located on the eastern tip of the Samaná Peninsula, the mine (locally known as Minas de Mármol) dates back centuries to colonial times, when European settlers recognized the potential value of the mineral beneath the tropical landscape. However, it wasn’t until 1970 that the formal extraction of marble began here, leaving behind the broad cuts across the stone walls that are visible today.
Mining operations ceased in 2008 but have since resumed, something which brought renewed economic opportunities to the region, whose main source of income remains tourism.
The quarry lies just beyond Las Cuevas and on the route to the Boca del Diablo, a striking coastal cliff. An industrial enclave within its otherwise verdant surroundings, the mine greets visitors with slabs of marble, raw and unfinished, stacked alongside each other, waiting to be processed and turned into a sleek floor or sculpture. Surprisingly, also the main pit can be accessed by foot. Over there one can witness massive blocks of the precious stone neatly sliced into rectangular shapes.
The site’s location next to several geological formations and caves in Las Cuevas makes it a tourist stop along the coastal route that leads to Playa Frontón, a remote beach known for its rugged seascape.
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
