Staraya Linza Quarry

Staraya Linza Quarry is an abandoned limestone excavation site near Yekaterinburg with sheer rock walls surrounding a deep lake. The water displays a striking turquoise color and reaches depths of around 100 meters.

The quarry began operations in the 1930s and focused on extracting talc-magnesite blocks using specialized methods. Production ceased in 1974, leaving behind the landscape visitors see today.

The site attracts photographers and nature enthusiasts who document how an industrial zone transformed into a natural landmark. Visitors notice how the towering walls create different moods depending on the season and time of day.

Visitors should wear sturdy footwear because the paths around the rock walls are uneven and sometimes slippery. Swimming and wading in the water are not permitted due to extreme depth and cold temperatures.

The rock walls display a distinctive stepped pattern created by the specific block-cutting technique used during extraction. This layering gives the quarry a pyramid-like appearance that resulted from how miners systematically removed the material.