We traveled here from Dnipro to observe the abandoned giant excavators. What was the outcome?
Morozovsky coal mine
This industrial facility in the Kirovohrad region was once actively used for coal mining. Coal had been mined here using open-pit methods since 1970, and in 1976 it became part of the huge Oleksandriavuhillya enterprise. In its heyday, the enterprise produced 10 million tons of coal per year and employed 15,000 people.
The Morozovsky quarry was dug very large and deep, and real monsters – ERSHR-1600 excavators – contributed to this. Such a machine weighed 4,000 tons and was the largest in the world in its class. With its bucket, it could reach 170 cubic meters of rock at a time.
There was also a 300-meter-long bridge spanning from one bank of the quarry to the other. It was used to transport the extracted rock for loading and further processing. They say that the bridge was captured in Germany during the war and brought to the USSR. It was manufactured in 2029 and continued to operate here.
The quarry itself is very deep — several hundred meters. This is clearly visible when standing on the opposite bank and looking at how small the trees are in relation to its shore. No one can say how many meters it is under water. Its length is 6 km, so if you come here without a car, you will have to walk a very long way, and in the summer heat, it is better to take water and something to wear on your head to avoid sunstroke and overheating.
Morozovsky Quarry now
In 2009, the company went bankrupt, after which coal mining ceased. Groundwater quickly flooded the site, after which the Morozovsky quarry was given a new lease of life as a natural and man-made tourist attraction.
Now tourists flock here not only to walk among the sands, which resemble a real desert, but also to see the abandoned excavators, which can be seen on Google Maps. You can also go kayaking, ride quad bikes, or just lie on the beach.
The water in the Morozovsky quarry has an unreal turquoise color. It seems like it is from another planet and is very mesmerizing. Some say that this is a sign of purity, while others say that it is due to radiation. Although, as for radiation, this is most likely the invention of conspiracy theorists.
By the way, it is difficult to find a beach here where you can easily enter the water — the banks of the quarry are very steep and high. Most likely, the beach is located on the side of the village of Pantaivka. There are also two excavators there, which can be seen on Google Maps.
Excavators at the Morozovsky quarry
What about the excavators? They were the main purpose of the trip!
We arrived from Novoselivka and traveled many kilometers to reach the location. We left the car when the track leading to the quarry became too deep and walked 6 kilometers through the “desert” under the scorching sun.
And… Finally, we arrived at the site. But there was no excavator! In its place, there were clear signs of not just human presence, but security. A barrier, a polyethylene booth, a sink for washing hands, a toilet. Instead of the excavator, there were oil stains, scrap metal, broken boards, and rubber. Most likely, it had already been dismantled and taken away. Just like the other machines, including the legendary bridge from Germany.
Well, I had to retrace my steps, taking beautiful pictures of sand, water, and cliffs along the way.
How to get to Morozovsky Quarry
There are two ways to get to Morozovsky Quarry. Through the villages of Pantaivka and Novoselivka.
Pantaivka is closer to Kropyvnytskyi, while Novoselivka is closer to Dnipro. If you go through Pantaivka, you will most likely end up at the beach of Morozovsky Quarry, where there is normal access to the water. From Novoselivka, you will have to drive down a long way, and a low car may not be able to pass. However, people drove there in SUVs and approached the cliffs themselves. They rested, drifted, and sunbathed without access to water.