Otranto bauxite quarry
Otranto, Italy
An abandoned bauxite quarry south of Otranto where red earth frames a green lake that fills the old pit. It is a short walk from the coast road towards Porto Badisco; do not swim in the lake.
According to greenme.it, the bauxite quarry near Otranto was worked from 1940 to 1976. The ore was washed on site and shipped to the port of Marghera. High costs and water seeping in made mining impossible in the mid-1970s. Water collected at the lowest point to form a small lake; the article attributes its emerald-green colour to dissolved bauxite residue, and the rock all around is red to orange-brown.
The quarry lies in the Bosco di Orte on the SP369, a few kilometres from Otranto towards Santa Cesarea Terme; the last stretch of the approach is on a partly unsurfaced country road. Until 2025 entry was free, with a short path to a first viewpoint. According to greenme.it (February 2026), however, the site is now closed: there are fences, “proprietà privata” signs and barriers, and the neighbouring landowners cite liability and safety, as the ground is crumbly. No reopening date has been given, and the municipality of Otranto is looking into solutions (as of October 2026; the latest report known to us dates from February 2026). Check access before you travel and do not enter cordoned-off areas.
- Nearest town
- Otranto, Italy
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 40.1280, 18.4995
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Baia dei MiceneiCampsite2 km from Otranto bauxite quarry · 10 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Agriturismo FontanelleCampsite8 km from Otranto bauxite quarryTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping Porto MiggianoCampsite11 km from Otranto bauxite quarryTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Oasi del CamperistaMotorhome stopover15 km from Otranto bauxite quarryMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Parco camper La TorreMotorhome stopover18 km from Otranto bauxite quarryMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Area Camper Gran PashàMotorhome stopover18 km from Otranto bauxite quarryMotorhomesElectricityShowersWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Otranto bauxite quarry?
Otranto bauxite quarry is in Otranto, Italy, at GPS 40.1280, 18.4995. It is about 37 km from Lecce.
Can you camp near Otranto bauxite quarry?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Torre Pinta, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 23 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Otranto bauxite quarry?
Otranto bauxite quarry is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Salento: sea pools and cliffs between two seas.
What is there to see near Otranto bauxite quarry?
Places worth a stop nearby: Torre dell'Orso (17 km), Grotta della Poesia (19 km), Ciolo bridge (33 km) and Basilica di Santa Croce (37 km).
When is the best time to visit Otranto bauxite quarry?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)