Otická sopka, Natural monument near Otice, Czech Republic.
Otická sopka is a natural monument near Otice with exposed basalt rock formations visible within a former quarry site. The location rises between 262 and 311 meters in elevation and displays dark rocky outcrops set against a forested backdrop.
Quarrying operations began here in 1890 and continued until 1949, when commercial stone extraction created significant changes to the landscape. The work shaped the depression that visitors see today, which resembles a volcanic crater.
Local people once called this place Peklo, and old stories spoke of a devil leaving marks on the rocks at the summit. These tales show how much the region's inhabitants were struck by the dramatic character of the site.
Access is provided through marked yellow hiking trails that lead through the area. Wear sturdy footwear since the rocky terrain is uneven and the paths can be rough in places.
The basalt rocks contain a light yellow carbonate layer within their fractures and form crystal structures of calcite and phillipsite in their cavities. These mineral formations are visible to visitors and demonstrate the geological variety of the site.
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