Mühlsteinbrüche

The sandstone in the Mühlsteinbrüche region was formed in the geological age of the Middle Turonian and, based on its formation, belongs to the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin.

For example, the sandstone, which was formed by sedimentation, has been breached multiple times by basaltic and phonolitic intrusions as a result of contact with occurrences of Tertiary volcanism in North Bohemia.

The sandstone retains its porosity, is hardened by the strength of its grain structure and thus its abrasion resistance is increased.

Its best known rock formation is the Große und Kleine Orgel ("Great and Little Organ"), whose appearance is easily confused with that of columnar basalt.

From about 1850, millstones were assembled from several pieces as there were no longer any sufficiently large and homogeneous sandstone blocks being quarried.