The area around Zimnik, in the northwestern edge of the Strzegom Hills, is the only place in the Land of Extinct Volcanoes where the rocks of the Strzegom-Sobótka granite massif are exposed on the surface. They were extensively quarried both in the village itself and are still being extracted in a quarry west of the village. Granite mining on a larger scale began in the 19th century, and Zimnik became part of the ‘granite region’ centered in Strzegom.
In the village, the brick bell tower from the late 19th century is noteworthy, as it is designed in a Neo-Gothic style and crowned with a sharp spire. According to tradition, it was used to summon workers to the quarry. Nearby, there is a modest pillar shrine set on an old millstone. Another historic structure is the former estate complex with a manor house from the mid-19th century.
The disused quarry adjoins the village buildings from the south. The lowest part of the quarry is flooded with water, creating an artificial reservoir with dimensions of approximately 150 x 150 meters and an area of nearly 2 hectares. The granite walls sloping down to the water’s surface reach heights of up to 15 meters. Within them, the typical horizontal bedding characteristic of Strzegom granite is clearly visible, creating favorable conditions for the extraction and splitting of rock blocks. The edge of the quarry has scenic qualities, with the panorama to the Jawor Plain and the ridge of the Kaczawskie Foothills.
Description: Piotr Migoń
