Bila Tserkva granite quarry

Grey-pink granite emerging straight from the bank of the Ros river, sheer cliffs above the water, and silence just a few kilometres from the city. The Bila Tserkva quarry is a place where industrial stone extraction and riverside nature stand literally side by side.

The Bila Tserkva Granite Quarry stretches along the right bank of the Ros river near Bila Tserkva. A working quarry — and at the same time a spot that locals have long loved for its scenic views, photography, and swimming among the rocks.

Location Card

What It Is & Why Come Here

The Ros river is known for its granite banks — bedrock that breaks the surface in places, forming cliffs and rapids. The Bila Tserkva quarry is where this granite has been quarried on an industrial scale for decades, and at the same time one of the most scenic stretches of the Ros near the city.

People come here for the contrast of stone and water: grey-pink cliffs, a clear river, and views you would not expect this close to an urban centre. Locals have long made the picturesque sections their own — for walks, photography, and swimming. There is no official beach here; it is an informal, spontaneous, and very atmospheric spot.

Important: part of the quarry is an active mining operation. Stick to safe sections well away from the working area.

History: The Granite of the Ros

Industrial quarrying here began back in 1936–1937. The Bila Tserkva granite deposit sits in the Koshyk tract on the right bank of the Ros, a few kilometres from the city. The enterprise processes granite into crushed stone, sand-gravel mixes, and other construction material.

For decades the quarry supplied the region’s construction industry. At the same time the scenic banks and cliffs around it grew into an informal recreation zone: the beauty of the granite outcrops above the Ros drew townspeople just as surely as the stone drew builders.

Legends & Local Lore

The rocky banks of the Ros have been fertile ground for legends since Cossack times.

1. The Stone That «Grows»

Locals joke that the granite on the Ros «grows back»: no matter how much you take, more always appears at the surface. Geologically that’s not quite right, but the image of an inexhaustible stone is old and apt.

2. Deep Water Without a Bottom

As with any flooded quarry, people say the water here is «bottomless.» There is some truth to it: man-made water bodies can be unexpectedly deep, with cold layers and submerged ledges. That is precisely why swimming here calls for care.

What to See & Do

Granite cliffs above the Ros. The main attraction: grey-pink bedrock rising straight out of the water.

Photography. Cliffs, river, and greenery — striking natural backdrops.

Swimming (with caution). On safe sections away from the active quarry zone.

Walk along the river. The banks of the Ros are particularly picturesque here.

Getting There

By car. The quarry is about 7 km south-west of Bila Tserkva, in the Koshyk tract on the right bank of the Ros. Part of the access road is unpaved.

By public transport. Take a bus from Kyiv to Bila Tserkva, then use local transport or a taxi to the quarry area.

Combine with Bila Tserkva. Nearby: Oleksandria Dendrological Park, the historic city centre, and the old water mill on the Ros. The quarry fits easily into a one-day itinerary.

Visitor’s Checklist

• Grippy shoes: granite is sharp and slippery near the water.
• Water and snacks: no facilities on site.
• Camera: the cliffs above the Ros make perfect shots.
• Caution: an active quarry is close by.

What NOT to do: approach the active quarry zone; jump into the water from the cliffs (submerged ledges and rocks); swim alone; leave litter on the banks of the Ros.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim here?

This is not an organised beach but a stretch of riverbank next to a granite quarry. Locals swim in safe sections at their own risk; approaching the active quarry zone is prohibited.

Is the quarry active or abandoned?

The Bila Tserkva deposit has been worked since the 1930s, so part of the quarry is still an active operation. At the same time the scenic sections above the Ros have long become an informal recreation area.

What else is nearby?

Oleksandria Dendrological Park, the historic centre of Bila Tserkva, and the old water mill and dam on the Ros. Everything fits neatly into one trip.

Is it safe to travel during the war?

Kyiv Region is relatively far from the front, but strikes are possible anywhere in Ukraine. Monitor air-raid alerts and the current situation.

The Bila Tserkva Granite Quarry is a reminder that the Ros flows over stone: grey-pink granite, cliffs above the water, and scenic riverbanks almost within the city limits.

Come to admire the cliffs and the river, take a few shots — but keep away from the working zone, don’t jump from the rocks, and take your litter with you. The beauty of the Ros is worth protecting.