The Granite Heart of Poland – The 31st PZK Convention and 200 Years of Strzegom Granite
Strzegom has once again become the capital of Polish stonemasonry. The 31st General Convention of the Polish Stone Association (Polski Związek Kamieniarstwa) and the bicentennial jubilee of industrial granite extraction provided a perfect opportunity to summarize the industry's achievements, discuss its future, and highlight the significance of natural stone in architecture and construction. The STONE trade fair, which has supported the growth of the stone sector for years, had the pleasure of participating in this exceptional event that brought together industry representatives from all over Poland.
From June 12 to 14, 2026, Strzegom became the venue for a unique gathering of the stone community. The Granite Heart of Poland hosted the 31st General Convention of the Polish Stone Association, which coincided with the Strzegom Granite Festival. This year’s edition held a special significance, as it was combined with the 200th anniversary of industrial granite extraction in the region, initiated by Friedrich Samuel von Bartsch on Młyńska Góra (Mill Hill).
The convention, organized with the support of partners Inter Granit and Cosentino, was held under the Honorary Patronage of the Mayor of Strzegom. One of the most important moments of the event was awarding the Polish Stone Association the Honorary Title of "Meritorious for the Strzegom Land." This distinction is a token of appreciation for the organization's long-standing activities dedicated to the development of the stone industry and the promotion of Polish natural stone.
It is no coincidence that Strzegom is a place of such high importance for the entire sector. For generations, the region has been tied to stone extraction and processing. Home to some of the largest granite and basalt deposits in Poland, it has served as the foundation of the national stonemasonry industry for years. Strzegom granite is highly recognized not only in Poland but also across numerous international markets.
Natural stone remains an exceptional, durable, noble, and timeless material. However, behind every finished product lies the hard work of many specialists: from those responsible for raw material extraction, through technologists and contractors, to architects and designers who give it its final form. It is precisely this journey – from the quarry to the finished project – that the STONE trade fair in Poznań has been showcasing for years, demonstrating how modern stone processing technologies merge with architecture, design, and contemporary construction.
We extend our warmest congratulations to the Polish Stone Association and the residents of Strzegom on the 200th anniversary of industrial granite extraction, and we wish continued growth to this industry, which is incredibly important for the Polish economy.
At the same time, we invite you today to the STONE 2027 trade fair, which will take place from January 26 to 29 at the Poznań International Fair. The event, held concurrently with the BUDMA and WINDOOR-TECH fairs, will create even more opportunities for business meetings, knowledge sharing, and the presentation of the latest solutions for the stone, construction, and architectural sectors.
Photo: Archive of the Polish Stone Association