Lakes in the quarry
View through the quarry

Velká Amerika (literally "Big America") is a partly flooded, abandoned limestone quarry in the Mořina municipality in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It lies about 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Prague.

Description

Velká Amerika is 800 m (2,600 ft) long, 200 m (660 ft) wide and up to 100 m (330 ft) deep quarry with an 18 m (59 ft) deep pair of lakes on the bottom. It is nicknamed "Czech Grand Canyon".[1]

There are other smaller quarries west of Velká Amerika, including Malá Amerika (Small America), Mexiko and Kanada. The quarries are connected with each other by long tunnels.[1]

History

Mining of the limestone was conducted in the first half of the 20th century. Political prisoners were used to work here, to which a memorial is dedicated here.

Tourism

The quarry is popular stop for tourists. There are several lookout points. It is sought after by professional divers, but due to the risk of injury, entry into the quarry is permanently forbidden.[1]

The place has several times been used by Czech filmmakers, notably in Lemonade Joe and Accumulator 1.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Český Grand Canyon – Velká Amerika" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2022-05-17.

49°57′30″N 14°11′50″E / 49.95833°N 14.19722°E / 49.95833; 14.19722

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