UNIQUE GEOLOGICAL
MONUMENT
STORY ON
EVERY LEVEL
UNIQUE NATURAL
GEOLOGICAL MONUMENT
STORY ON
EVERY LEVEL
The Quarry Fantazija is a natural phenomenon. In 1987 it acquired the status of a geological monument and today it represents one of the most interesting quarries in the world. The site is unique on a global scale; you can observe the deposition of different types of limestone rocks with preserved texture, structure, diagenetic, and genetic characteristics. These indicators demonstrate the impact of blue-green and other algae, tides, sea level oscillations, and numerous other processes of creating environmental geography known today.
The Quarry Fantazija is part of the protected ecological network Natura2000, with a total surface area of 4.05 ha, managed by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas in Istria County, called “Natura Histrica”.
The Quarry Fantazija is situated 1.5 km from the centre of Rovinj. It represents a unique example of carbonate rock sedimentology and one of the most important and interesting quarries in the world. In 1987 it acquired the status of a geological monument.
The quarry is a display of genetically different types of dolomites with preserved details of texture, and structure of diagenetic and genetic characteristics, indicating the processes and impact of blue-green algae, petrification of cavities formed by algae decomposition, sea level oscillations, alternation of tides, sediments soaked by sea water and then dried.
Thanks to the rocks from this quarry, the origin of similar rocks in the world can be scientifically explained. Such rocks contain only few evidence and indicators of such origin, as opposed to the Quarry Fantazija that contains all types of evidence, making thus the Quarry a geological monument and a standard for all other rock sites of this origin type in the world.
The project activated an unused natural heritage aiming at creation of new tourist offer and experience.
The protected area of the ecological network Natura2000, the Quarry Fantazija, thus becomes a recognised site for tourists, visitors, and students.
The Quarry Fantazija has a status of a geological monument since 1986. However, although the site represents a unique example of limestone sedimentology and one of the most important and interesting quarries in the world, it was not adequately organised or valorised, until the Project. Through the implementation of Project activities, a framework for sustainable management of biodiversity of this area was established.
This monograph is the work of a group of experts who brought together the most important knowledge gained so far about the geological monument, Fantazija Quarry. The monograph, with the simplest vocabulary accompanied by the most significant photographs, aims to provide the future reader with the best possible idea of the scientific value of the rocks of the world-famous Fantazija Quarry.
Za stručno vodstvo grupa, potrebno se telefonski najaviti.
The creation of this website was co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union.
The content of this website is the sole responsibility of Natura Histrica and does not necessarily support the opinion of the European Union.
More information about EU fonds: www.strukturnifondovi.hr.
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