Lůmek u Bečvár

Lůmek u Bečvár is a small natural monument on the southwestern edge of the village of Bečváry, in the Kolín district of the Central Bohemian Region. This former quarry, now protected, covers just 0.2594 hectares at an elevation of 290–297 metres. Despite its modest size, the site carries considerable scientific weight — it is the only known occurrence of griquaite, a rare form of eclogite, anywhere in the Czech Republic.

What makes this place unique?

Griquaite is a deep-seated rock composed of monoclinic and rhombic pyroxenes, formed under high-pressure conditions far below the Earth's surface. Its presence at Bečváry gives geologists a rare window into processes taking place in the mantle and crust beneath central Bohemia. The rock contains crystals of diopside and pyrope — reddish garnets that give some fragments a distinctive speckled appearance. Alongside its mineralogical value, the site also holds numerous Upper Cretaceous fossils, adding a paleontological dimension to its significance.

What does the site look like?

The lůmek (small quarry) is a remnant of past stone extraction — its landscape is shaped by a series of terrain steps and rocky outcrops left behind by quarrying activity. The site's centrepiece is a rock wall roughly 6 metres high, clearly visible from the floor of the former quarry. It is this wall that exposes the rock layers where geologists identified the unusual minerals.

History of protection

The area was granted legal protection by the District National Committee of Kolín on 1 January 1987. Lůmek u Bečvár is listed in the Central List of Nature Conservation under code 1016, and is administered by the Regional Authority of the Central Bohemian Region. The reason for its protection was precisely this unique, Czech-wide-singular occurrence of griquaite together with the accompanying fossils.

Who is this site for?

Lůmek u Bečvár appeals mainly to geology and mineralogy enthusiasts and anyone curious about earth sciences — a tiny reserve that nonetheless hides a scientifically unique fragment of the Earth's crust. Visitors can get a close look at the rock wall and the remains of the former quarry, stepping into the geological history of the Kolín region. It also makes a worthwhile short stop for anyone hiking around Bečváry who appreciates quiet, lesser-known corners of Central Bohemian nature.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lůmek u Bečvár? It is a natural monument on the edge of the village of Bečváry, formed in a former quarry and protected for its unique occurrence of griquaite.

Since when has the area been protected? Protection was established on 1 January 1987 by decision of the then District National Committee of Kolín.

How large is the protected area? It covers 0.2594 hectares, at an elevation of 290–297 metres.

What can visitors see there? A rock wall around 6 metres high, terrain steps left from former quarrying, and fossils from the Upper Cretaceous period.

Is the site easy to access? Lůmek lies directly on the southwestern edge of Bečváry village in the Kolín district, making it easy to visit as part of a tour of the region.