Státní lom

Státní lom is an abandoned large quarry set on the slopes of Velký Kosíř hill, right next to the road connecting Čelechovice na Hané with the village of Kaple in the Prostějov district of Moravia. Despite its plain name — simply "state quarry" — the site ranks among the most significant geological and paleontological locations in the Czech Republic.

What can you actually see there?

The quarry walls expose a sequence of dark grey dolomites and dolomitic limestones belonging to the Macocha sequence of the Middle Devonian period. Geologists pay special attention to a roughly five-metre-thick layer of Čelechovice limestone, famous for its rich fossil fauna. It is precisely these fossils that turned the site into a type locality for science — a reference point used to describe species characteristic of this Palaeozoic period.

Why is this quarry scientifically important?

The site is considered exceptionally valuable from a scientific standpoint. The exposed rock layers make it possible to study the region's geological structure and reconstruct life from hundreds of millions of years ago, when a shallow sea covered the area now known as the Olomouc region. Geologists and palaeontologists still use the quarry for structural research into Devonian-age rocks, and its educational value is widely recognised.

What protection status does Státní lom have?

Until 2017, the area functioned as an independent nature monument, first designated back in 1974. In April 2017 that protection was replaced by a broader designation — the Kosířské lomy National Nature Monument, which now covers several related quarries on Velký Kosíř, including Státní lom itself. The site's condition is assessed as good, although illegal waste dumping in the immediate vicinity remains a recognised conflict between nature conservation and the surrounding land use.

How do you get to Státní lom?

The quarry is easy to reach — a third-class road running from Čelechovice na Hané towards Kaple passes close by, with the site itself located no more than about 250 metres from the road. A green-marked hiking trail also runs nearby, leading from Čelechovice na Hané along an asphalt path up to the summit of Velký Kosíř, so visitors already hiking in the area can easily add the quarry to their route.

Who is this place for?

Státní lom is particularly appealing to anyone interested in geology, palaeontology, or the natural history of the Hané region. The exposed rock faces let visitors literally trace layers of deep time and picture the environment of the ancient Devonian sea that once covered this landscape. For an average hiker heading up Velký Kosíř, the quarry makes an interesting stop that adds an educational dimension to what would otherwise be a purely scenic walk — a reminder of just how geologically eventful this seemingly calm Moravian countryside once was.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Státní lom without a guide? Yes, the site is publicly accessible and lies close to a public road. However, as part of a national nature monument it is legally protected, so visitors should take care and avoid removing fossils or rock fragments.

How does Státní lom differ from today's Kosířské lomy monument? Státní lom was an independent nature monument from 1974 to 2017. Since April 2017 it has formed part of the larger Kosířské lomy National Nature Monument, which covers several quarries on Velký Kosíř.

What makes this site so special? The exposure of Middle Devonian dolomite and limestone layers containing rich fossil fauna, including locally described fossil species, gives this quarry the status of a nationally significant site for the earth sciences.