Grimma flood pond breaks

The quarries are located south of Grimma in the heart of the Grimma Monastery Forest, between the villages of Großbardau and Großbothen. The Rochlitz quartz porphyry was mined there. It originates from the volcanic eruptions of approximately 294 million years ago, during which the Rochlitz caldera also formed. The Rochlitz porphyry was created during an explosive eruption from a mixture of hot gases, ash, and entrained rock fragments (ember clouds). Such a rock is called an ignimbrite (from the Latin ignis = fire, imber = rain).

The former quarry has a diameter of approximately 150 meters and is filled with water. The quarry walls reach a height of 15 to 20 meters.

Two tunnel entrances are located in the north wall of the quarry. Their origin is a matter of speculation. They were likely constructed towards the end of the Second World War and were intended to serve as bombproof secret facilities for relocating war-essential industries. However, this project was abandoned before completion when Großbothen was liberated by American troops on April 12, 1945.