Noir de Golzinne
Encyclopedia
Noir de Golzinne is the only Belgian black (Devonian
/Frasnian) limestone
(see Noir Belge
) that is still exploited today. It is named after the quarry in the Belgian hamlet
of Golzinne
near Gembloux
in the Walloon Region
. "Noir de Golzinne" is also the trade name of the geological vein that is currently exploited in nearby Mazy. The names "Mazy" and "Golzinnes" are often used simultaneously.
Devonian
The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era spanning from the end of the Silurian Period, about 416.0 ± 2.8 Mya , to the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya...
/Frasnian) limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
(see Noir Belge
Noir Belge
Noir Belge is collective noun referring to black limestone found on several sites in Belgium. Some trade names refer more specifically to the quarry were the material was found, for example "Noir de Mazy" or "Noir de Golzinne"...
) that is still exploited today. It is named after the quarry in the Belgian hamlet
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
of Golzinne
Golzinne
Golzinne is a rural settlement near the village of Bossière. It is administratively part of the city of Gembloux, Namur, Belgium. It is notable as the only current producer of "Noir de Golzinne", a black marble. Marble from Golzinne was used in decorations of the Palace of Versailles....
near Gembloux
Gembloux
Gembloux is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Namur, on the axis Brussels-NamurOn 1 January 2006 the municipality had 21,964 inhabitants...
in the Walloon Region
Walloon Region
The Walloon Region, commonly called Wallonia, is one of the three federal Regions of Belgium, and its capital is Namur. It comprises, as defined by Article 5 of the Constitution of Belgium, the provinces of Walloon Brabant, Hainaut, Liège, Luxembourg and Namur...
. "Noir de Golzinne" is also the trade name of the geological vein that is currently exploited in nearby Mazy. The names "Mazy" and "Golzinnes" are often used simultaneously.