Black treasure in a Belgian quarry
Many historical religious buildings in Belgium were originally tiled with Noir belge, Noir de Mazy or Noir de Golzinne. Golzinne is located between Gembloux and Namur. Nowadays, it is used only for the restoration of heritage sites, prestigious private projects or decorative items.
The most famous and most original Belgian black marble is therefore extracted from the Golzinne quarry, 70 m below ground. It has excellent aesthetic and technical characteristics. As in haute couture, black is a solid, reliable colour that it is not subject to trends. It is particularly effective in draughtboards alongside white Carrara marble or French white limestone. It owes its exclusive nature to the fact that it is taken from an underground quarry, which is difficult to operate, while many other types of marble come from open-cast quarries. In addition, water pumps must operate constantly to remove the water that seeps into the quarry. This is an ecologically responsible project, as it provides drinking water for around 9,000 families. It also benefits biodiversity, as the quarry is home to bats and various rare reptiles.
Anyone wanting to admire this black gold in person can visit the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum in India, the California State Capitol or the Château of Versailles in France. In Belgium, it can be seen at Tournai Cathedral or the restored Premonstratensian Monastery in Mechelen.