Great America Quarry

The Great America limestone quarry, often called the Czech Grand Canyon, has served as the backdrop for many films and captures the haunting atmosphere of a political prisoner labor camp from the past century.

The Great America Quarry, the largest in the Czech Karst, stretches about 800 meters long, 200 meters wide, and 100 meters deep. At its base, two interconnected lakes can be found. Nearby, you’ll also find Little America, Mexico, and Alkazar quarries, with Little America also filled with crystal-clear water. These quarries are connected by underground tunnels.

• Tip for you: Entry directly into the quarry is prohibited, as the quarries are owned by Lomy Mořina s.r.o., and violators may face a fine. There is no admission fee or opening hours. The entry ban is in place primarily for safety reasons.

If you’re eager to explore the underground tunnels of the Great America quarry, there are two options:

1. Arrange a guided tour of the tunnels in advance with the OS Hagen association. Private tours and excursions into the tunnels are available for groups of 10 or more people.
2. Visit the quarry during the annual “European Day of Protected Areas” event, where you can enjoy an educational trail, a guided tour, and a walk through the tunnel from Dub Sedmi bratří to the Little America quarry.

• Fun fact: It’s no wonder that this place is a popular spot for filmmakers – its stunning scenery looks incredible on the big screen. The British fell in love with Velká Amerika after seeing it in the western hit Lemonade Joe, and the azure-blue lake formed by the flooded mining tunnels was the backdrop for an emotional scene in Kachyňa’s adaptation of the Andersen fairy tale *The Little Mermaid*, where Libuška Šafránková played the mermaid.

In recent years, the Great America quarry has become a popular filming location for international productions. It appeared alongside Rosamund Pike in the Wheel of Time series, and Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne starred in Carnival Row filmed there. The quarry has also featured in the American action drama Hanna and the historical drama Britannia. Other notable films include Nosferatu with Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, and Lily-Rose Depp, the German Netflix hit Army of Thieves, and the Czech blockbuster Jan Žižka directed by Petr Jákl.

What’s next?

Since 2008, a yellow-marked hiking trail runs along the northern edge of the Great America quarry, offering several viewpoints. The trail continues from the western end towards the Mexiko quarry and further on to the majestic Karlštejn Castle.