Velká Amerika

Velká Amerika is a partly flooded, abandoned limestone quarry in the Mořina municipality in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It lies about southwest of Prague.

Description

Velká Amerika is long, wide and up to deep quarry with an deep pair of lakes on the bottom. It is nicknamed "Czech Grand Canyon".
There are other smaller quarries west of Velká Amerika, including Malá Amerika, Mexiko and Kanada. The quarries are connected with each other by long tunnels.

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.

In popular culture

The place has several times been used by Czech filmmakers, notably in Lemonade Joe and Accumulator 1. It was also the location of the Noelite convent in the film ''Babylon A.D.''