Among the paths of the Apuan Alps there is a place immersed in nature and definitely unique: it is Cava Valsora, a quarry located in the locality of Passo del Vestito that has become a place of naturalistic interest today. But what makes the quarry different from all the others? Undoubtedly its enchanted atmosphere, but above all the presence of the triton pond, a biolago formed in 2016 surrounded by walls of striated marble. In the now empty space created by mining, the presence of calcium carbonate and the action of weathering on these contributed to the formation of the lake. Why then is the Valsora Quarry important? Basically for two reasons: the first is its industrial importance as a mining site; the second is its uniqueness as a geological formation combined with the presence of the biolago.
In this regard, the biolago has two additional features that make it unique in the world, and that is the presence of the Apuan Alpeste Newt and Chara algae in its bedrock. The newt is an amphibian belonging to the salamander family that is particularly attached to the water and characterized by a flattened head, short legs and a laterally compressed tail, and among Italian newts, this type can remain in the water even for long periods. Chara seaweed, widespread in Europe, America and Asia, on the other hand, is an extremely rare plant species that has been present, on earth for about 500 million years. The Valsora quarry can therefore be called a true hidden jewel among the Alps.
To date, the quarry, so unique, fascinating and become a tourist destination, adopts underground extraction techniques to preserve its landscape and reduce the visual impact of mining activities. Its naturally preserved and cared-for formation and uniqueness offer guided tours for school groups and sightseeing tours, during which you can learn about the history of the quarry, its marble, and the biolago. Understanding the biodiversity that makes up the Apuan Alps is therefore crucial to preserving its uniqueness.
A curiosity? The Cava Valsora lake does not only attract tourists: in fact, in 2022 a National Geographic underwater photography crew managed to capture shots of the Apuan Alpeste Newt, making the amphibian an icon of the area.