In Wojcieszów, not far from the Gruszka Quarry, there is an old limestone quarry dating back to the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It was used for burning the rocks obtained during mining work. This lime kiln is not the only one in the area, but it is the most well-preserved and prominently displayed.
These lime kilns were constructed in close proximity to the quarries to facilitate the transportation of the extracted limestone. In the early 19th century, there were no machines available for transporting heavy limestone boulders, so locating the kilns nearby made sense.
The process of lime burning involved removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from rocks primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). In this process, quicklime, or calcium oxide (CaO), was obtained. This reaction took place in a lime kiln, initially heated with wood, peat, and later with coke, coal, and natural gas. In addition to achieving the necessary temperature, which ranged from 900 to 1200°C, a continuous supply of oxygen was also essential to facilitate the chemical reaction. It was important for the temperature not to be too high because in such a case, the kiln could be damaged, and the lime could be overburned. Burnt lime, compared to untreated rock material, became lighter, easily breakable, and if left exposed to air for an extended period, it began to crumble. On the other hand, overburned lime did not crumble.
After burning, the lime was then extinguished, a process also known as “slaking.” It was done using water. Burned lime (CaO), when in contact with water, transforms into calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2, which is a building material used for mortar and plaster.
Today, the Wojcieszów limestone quarry is open for visitors, and there is a viewpoint at its summit with benches and railings. The path to the viewpoint is marked with arrows, thanks to the efforts of the local community (Stowarzyszenie Ziemia Aktywnych).
The “Gruszka” didactic path enables to visit the most interesting points in this area:
