Old quarry, outdoor natural stage and spawning waters
Granite porphyry was probably quarried in this quarry from the 17th century until the end of the 19th century. The magmatic rock was formed around 285 million years ago as a result of the Wurzen eruption. In the last quarry, measuring about 50 x 30 metres and around 15 metres deep, stones were manually quarried for local needs.
Special feature granite porphyry
(Pyroxene) Granite porphyry was formed from liquid magma, which instead of emerging on to the earth’s surface as lava, was ‘pushed’ into deeper older layers of rock – at Wachtelberg into quartz porphyry. The clearly visible large crystals (phenocrysts) in the granite porphyry, mostly various feldspars, are an indication of the slow cooling of the molten rock in the earth’s crust.
Quarry backdrop to a natural stage
From 1953/54 to 1961, a natural stage boasting about one thousand seats was in operation here in the old quarry for concerts, theatre and film performances – a major burden on the nature reserve at the time.
Spawning waters
When there is sufficient rainfall, the old quarry turns into a standing body of water. It is an important spawning ground for amphibians such as the great crested newt, smooth newt, grass frog, common water frog and common toad. Grass snakes can also be found here.
Rocky obstacles for the Mulde
Since the Ice Age, the Mulde has dug deep into the porphyry beds in the Geopark Porphyry Land. After overcoming the rock barrier between the Wachtelberg in Dehnitz and the Schafberg in Schmölen, it meanders through the wide floodplain towards the Elbe.
Captions of photographs
- Performance by the Ebert choirs on the natural stage, 1954, photo: Horst Müller © Kulturhistorisches Museum Wurzen with Ringelnatz collection
- Great crested newt © Archiv Naturschutz des LfULG, W. Fiedler
- (Pyroxene) Granite porphyry © Jochen Rascher