Lom Kozolupy

Lom Kozolupy is a small, disused quarry near the village of Kozolupy in the Beroun district, protected since 1981 as a natural monument (přírodní památka) due to its outstanding geological and paleontological value. From the outside it looks like an ordinary, overgrown pit, but for geologists and paleontologists it ranks among the more important sites in the central part of the Prague Basin.

Where is it located?

The quarry lies about 1.5 km south of the village of Kozolupy, in the Bohemian Karst (Český kras) region of Central Bohemia, not far from the town of Beroun. The site is managed by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), regional office for Central Bohemia, which oversees its status as a legally protected natural area.

Why is this place scientifically significant?

The exposed rock walls of the former quarry reveal a geological profile from the Silurian period, specifically the Ludlow epoch. These layers record the history of marine sediments and the organisms that once lived on the seafloor, shaped by volcanic activity during that time. The exposure is considered so scientifically important that it was included in an international ecostratigraphic research project carried out under the patronage of UNESCO — a notable distinction for a modest, local quarry.

Lom Kozolupy is also significant for paleontology. Several species of brachiopods were scientifically described based on fossils found here during the second half of the 20th century. For specialists studying Paleozoic marine fauna, this makes the site internationally relevant despite its small size.

What can you see on site?

Beyond the rock layers that tell the story of an ancient sea, the former quarry has gradually become overgrown with secondary vegetation — grasses, shrubs, and small stands of trees. Among the shrubs you can find wild rose, common dogwood, birch, and hazel, while damper and shadier corners of the quarry host black elder and crack willow. This mosaic of habitats also supports rarer plant species: within the protected area, the moss Aloina rigida has been recorded, a species that depends on the dry, sun-exposed conditions found on the limestone and rocky fragments of the old quarry.

Who is this place for?

Lom Kozolupy is primarily a destination for people interested in geology and paleontology — fossil enthusiasts and those curious about Earth's history will find tangible evidence here of dramatic geological processes from hundreds of millions of years ago. It is also a good spot for nature observers who appreciate how vegetation gradually reclaims a former industrial site, creating new and valuable habitats for plants and small fauna along the way.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lom Kozolupy? It is a former, disused quarry near the village of Kozolupy in the Beroun district, protected since 1981 as a natural monument because of its exceptional geological exposure and paleontological finds.

Why is the quarry important for science? It exposes a sediment profile from the Silurian period (Ludlow epoch), documenting the development of marine life under the influence of volcanic activity — its importance was recognized by its inclusion in an international ecostratigraphic research project under UNESCO patronage. It is also the site where several brachiopod species were first scientifically described.

What vegetation grows in the quarry? The area is covered with secondary vegetation, including wild rose, common dogwood, birch, and hazel, with black elder and crack willow in damper spots. The rare moss Aloina rigida also grows here.

Who manages this protected area? The site is overseen by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), regional office for Central Bohemia.