Amerika

This scene reminds genuine American western. These are former limestone quarries in the community of Mořina, near to Karlštejn. The America draws all tourists  as well as hikers. Just here, famous film „Limonádový Joe“ was shot .However, the locality experiemced worse times. Within 1950-1960, this marvellous and admired piece of country was hewed by hundreds of political prisoners. America quarry is easy accessible from Prague, you reach this place by means of regular town bus connection, so this locality is visited by many people from the capital. Nevertheless, the identity discs of parking vehicles come from all parts of Czech Republic.

As far as the mark „America“ is concerned, there is no wilderness to be looked for, although local sceneries served as film interior in well-known film „Limonádový Joe“(Lemonade Joe) or „Malá mořská víla“ (Small Sea Nymph). Couple of years ago, the Russians shot there film „Faust“, and near quarry in the community of Srbsko played its role on film „Zlatokopové z Arkansasu“ (Golddigers from Arkansas). In past, since 19th century, there was a place ,where necessary stone was excavated for iron-works and steel-works in Kladno, and so, you can find tens of quarries in this area. Local limestone is of first class quality and was used, first of all, in building and construction industry or in metallurgy, and its usefulness was found even in sugar manufacture. The mining was increased unceasingly, and the quarry became more and more profounder. However, crumbling walls menaced with collapse, and this fact was confirmed in 1963, when the walls broke down, it was good luck that nobody was injured at this occasion. Despite this, mining office stopped the excavation. The locality got its name (America) from the reason, that limestone at Karlštejn started to be excavated by means of so called „American Way“. The bed (stratum) was uncovered through its main corridor, and from there, separate branch-lines were digged (extracted). Afterthat, the chimneys were knocked out, where the material was strewed. Downstairs,inside the corridor, the stone was crushed by hands and loaded in lorries. The chimneys were progressively enlarged and so, they obtained its funnel form. Here, the stone was grinded and loaded on system of transport carriages. The collision was effected within long time period, so, this unique work was created.

This beautiful locality, not far distant from Prague, became always great temptation for investigation, and, for bathing, of course. As some, so called „obstacle groups“ met there, such as hikers and nude persons, all activities in quarry were under carefull view of respective organs, and if somebody was caught, high penalty followed. Bathing prohibition was justified with a fact that quite dangerous access to water is available, and many heavy injuries, including death cases, occured there in past. So, the gallery, leading to the lake, was closed, according to the order of administrative offices, and the bottom could be reached along crumbling path in its back part. Old steel rope was stretched there, and thin wires protruded out, sticking in hands. When the locality started to be in focus of defenders from Bohemian Karst Protected Countryside Area, so two shoots of access paths were effected, in order to prevent the entry of non-required visitors. The lake is 20 metres deep and you have the chance to watch the divers, using the locality for their training. No doubt, local water is not dead, despite the fact that various rubbish could be seen on bottom. You can find there some sorts of fish and even protected crayfish. In past, the quarry was a target of many entrepreneurs´ plans, it is good luck that none of them was realized.

A legend about Hagen is connected withn this locality. He is said to be a supervisor to workers in near Alcazar quarry, who built underground factory there. When the war was over, and Hagen escaped, he took shelter inside galleries in Bohemian Karst. The person, who penetrated there, were stealed from him, and even. some people were killed by him. Anyway, the legend undergone some changes later. Its actual version says that Hagen died inside one gallery. A certain prisoner found him, who was hidding in Bohemian Karst in 1950, dressed Hagen´s uniform, took his arms and harmes all hikers till now. He would know all secret galleries  that nobody has any idea about its existence. In past, there was actual an idea that some bears would be let in quarry bottom, and so, possible bathing would be hindered. However, presumed number of forty of such animals proved to be as absolutely unrealistic, owing to the fact how the bears furiously defend their territory. There was also an idea to establish nature swimming pool, at opposite Holý vrch (Plain Hill), including camping place and nature amphitheatre. To tell the truth, fortunately, this megaloman plan is over, it is quite sufficient that character of Bohemian countryside was violated with so called „satellite buildings“. At present, the quarry is still walled with repaired steel rope, but a couple of view platforms are available. From there, wonderful view towards a quarry and educational path are to be offered. The visitors get the information from tables that around Velká Amerika (Great America) is surrounded with other eighteen quarries, partially joined with corridors, such as Canada, Podkova (Horseshoe), Modlitebna (House of Prayer), Černý lom (Black Quarry). This locality is also important from paleonthological point of view. Inside galleries, numerous colonies of bats is nesting.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, ŠJů, č.2, č.3, Karelj, č.2, Prazak, Jitka Erbenová