Where to go on a trip Drahanská vrchovina

The flooded Zatopený lom Želeč u Drysic is a picturesque and popular site that originated as a remnant of stone mining and now serves as a tranquil natural location.

The site is located between the municipalities of Želeč and Drysice, in the Vyškov district, on the border of the Haná and Drahanská vrchovina regions. The quarry is characterized by its clean water, which, due to its depth, maintains a refreshing temperature even during the peak of summer heat. Access to the water surface is modified in several places; however, the overall character of the site remains natural, without asphalt paths or organized facilities. The surroundings of the quarry are lined with high rock walls, which are popular with cliff jumpers, although this activity requires maximum caution. Given that this is an unofficial swimming spot, great emphasis is placed on the responsibility of visitors towards nature, especially regarding the maintenance of cleanliness. The site is surrounded by deciduous trees that provide natural shade, and thanks to its location in a gently rolling landscape, it offers a peaceful atmosphere suitable for relaxation and rest from the bustle of the city.

What can you find here?

Within the area, you will find a flooded water surface with various levels of access to the water, from gentle banks to steep rock ledges. The surroundings of the quarry consist of grassy and earthy areas suitable for sunbathing or picnics, and a network of narrow beaten paths leading around the entire perimeter of the quarry. As this is a natural site, there are no snack bars, changing rooms, or toilets here; therefore, it is necessary to equip yourself with everything you need in advance.

Who is the place suitable for?

The location is ideal for lovers of natural swimming and people looking for silence and privacy in the bosom of nature. It is also sought after by young people and groups of friends due to the possibility of jumping into the water from the rocks; however, due to the absence of lifeguards and rescue equipment, it is recommended only for proficient swimmers. The place is also suitable for dog owners, who can enjoy free movement by the water here, and for photographers attracted by the contrast of the light rock and the turquoise surface.

What can you visit in the surroundings?

Just a short distance from the quarry is the village of Drysice, where you can view the historic building of the local granary or the kostel Narození Panny Marie. For history lovers, the town of Vyškov with its zoopark and Dinopark is within accessible distance. If you are looking for further natural beauty, we recommend a visit to the Moravský kras with its caves, which is located west of the site, or the rozhledna Chocholík near Drnovice, which offers a view of the entire Vyškovská brána.

Plumlovská přehrada is an extensive water body on the border of the Drahanská vrchovina and Haná. It lies on the Hloučela River about 3 kilometres from Prostějov. It ranks among our oldest reservoirs and covers an area of 65 hectares. Its construction began as early as 1913 and initially did not meet with great enthusiasm among the population. Originally, it was supposed to be completed within five years, but World War I interrupted the plans. The complete finishing of the Plumlov dam thus took place only in 1932.

The main reason for construction was primarily flood protection and the support of the flow of the Hloučela River. However, a flood came sooner, and so in 1920, a large amount of water from persistent rain caused such damage at the dam that the final construction cost increased up to twelvefold.

Now, Plumlovská přehrada serves mainly tourists and athletes. Grassy beaches and refreshments are available, but for anyone who is not entertained by merely lying by the water, the offer of one of the rental shops can be utilized to cross the surface criss-cross on a paddle boat or a small boat. Other water sports also do not remain in the background, and so it is possible to see skilled paddleboarders or fast kayakers.

The Plumlov water reservoir is also important from a cultural perspective. Various significant events for the general public have taken place here, for example, the International Music Festival for Children and Youth with Disabilities as well as a large number of other concerts. An interesting and relatively popular event is also the dragon boat race, which takes place on various water bodies throughout the republic.

Not far from the dam is the early Baroque zámek Plumlov, part of which is also the torso of the never-completed castle of the same name. Visitors' holiday by Plumlovská přehrada thus does not have to be solely about swimming, but history lovers will also find something to their liking. After all, tourists and cyclists will not come up short either. A number of marked trails lead through the surroundings of the dam; visitors simply need to choose the one that suits them. Then it is only a matter of planning a date, finding suitable accommodation near Plumlovská přehrada, and coming to relax from demanding working days.

The deepest chasm of its kind in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, over 138.5 metres deep. This is the Macocha Abyss. It is located in the Moravian Karst (Moravský kras), near the village of Vilémovice, in the Blansko District. The abyss was most likely formed by the collapse of the ceiling of a large underground chamber of the Punkevní jeskyně, through which the Punkva river flows. Should you visit the Punkevní jeskyně, you will be able to reach not only the bottom of the abyss but also take a boat that will transport you to it.

The upper part of the Macocha Abyss is 174 metres long and up to 76 metres wide. At two points, at different levels of the abyss, two viewing bridges are available to visitors. The first dates back to 1882 and is located in the highest part. The second is 92 metres lower and was built in 1899. The entire surroundings of the Macocha Abyss have a special, almost magical atmosphere. Just as Prague has its infamous Nuselský most (Nusle Bridge), for the Blansko region, the Macocha Abyss is a typical site where dozens of people have decided to end their lives.

Even the legend associated with the Macocha Abyss has a tragic undertone. Once, in the nearby village of Vilémovice, lived a young farmer named Hálek. When his wife fell ill and subsequently died, Hálek was left alone with his young son, Martínek. As often happens, Hálek eventually remarried, and before long, his wife gave birth to a son. Then, difficult times began for Martínek. His stepmother favoured her own child and turned against Martínek. Hálek tried to help his firstborn son in secret, but it was all to no avail.

One day, when Hálek travelled to town with his younger son, the stepmother took Martínek into the forest to pick strawberries. They reached an abyss with a small lake, which was said to be so deep that it had no bottom. The stepmother sent Martínek to the very edge of the abyss, claiming that the most beautiful strawberries were there. Martínek, afraid to disobey, leaned over the abyss; the stepmother then pushed him, and Martínek plummeted into the depths. The wicked woman ran away from the abyss, but on the way home, she began to realise what she had done and returned to the site. She knew that Hálek would never forgive her for this, and she could not live in peace anyway. Therefore, she covered her eyes and jumped down into the abyss.

When the farmer returned from town and could not find his wife and the boy at home, he set out to look for them. Neighbours told him that they had gone to pick strawberries. The farmer reached the abyss, and suddenly, a great storm broke out. He was about to run and hide, but suddenly he heard a child crying. He leaned over the edge of the abyss and saw his Martínek, who, as if by a miracle, had caught onto a bush growing on the slope of the abyss. He ran for a rope and pulled the boy up. Judging by a headscarf that had also caught on the bush, he realised what had happened to his wife. Ever since, the abyss has been called Macocha (Stepmother). And it is said that during a storm, you can hear a faint crying coming from the abyss. That, they say, is the unhappy stepmother moaning.

The first to penetrate the Macocha Abyss was the team of Karel Absolon through the Punkevní jeskyně from the Pustý žleb valley, via the so-called "dry route". The first human stood there on 31 January 1914. In the 1930s, Macocha was also made accessible via the so-called "water route," along the Punkva river through the water chambers. At the bottom of the abyss, there are two small lakes – the Lower and the Upper. Beneath the Lower lake, there are further, as yet unexplored spaces. If the water level of the lake rises, for example, during persistent rain, it connects with the Upper lake. Conversely, during periods of drought, the water dries up completely.

The Macocha Abyss is certainly the most famous tourist attraction in the entire Chráněná krajinná oblast Moravský kras (Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area). For this reason, especially during the holiday season, there is a large number of tourists, and tours should be booked in advance. In addition to the Punkevní jeskyně, you can also visit the nearby Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně, jeskyně Balcarka, or Kateřinské jeskyně. This area is a paradise for both professional and novice speleologists.

Finding accommodation near the Macocha Abyss will be a breeze with the MegaUbytko portal. Cosy cottages, guesthouses, or apartments in the Blansko region are ready for you, and their owners and operators, known for their cordiality, will be happy to share not only the legend of the stepmother but also provide many interesting tips for trips or lesser-known places in this area. And there are truly many interesting attractions in the Blansko region. Do you not believe it? Come and see for yourself.

The most massive sinkhole of the Moravský kras

Rudické propadání is a dominant karst phenomenon in the central part of the CHKO Moravský kras, not far from the villages of Rudice and Jedovnice. This is the site where the Jedovnický potok suddenly disappears underground into the limestone bedrock, creating one of the longest cave systems in the Česká republika, spanning over 13 kilometres. This system, connected to Býčí skála in the Josefovské údolí, includes a cave with a cascade of waterfalls, one of which reaches a height of up to 35 metres. Underground, one can also find the Rudická propast, which, with a depth of 153 metres, is considered the deepest dry chasm in the Česká republika, as well as the impressive space of the Obří dóm. The waters of the stream overcome a gradient of up to 90 metres underground.

How to get there

The best access is from the village of Rudice, where visitors may leave their car in the free car park and follow the green tourist trail (part of the Naučná stezka Jedovnické rybníky – Rudické propadání). The entire circular nature trail is 6.5 km to 7 km long and begins in Jedovnice. A shorter section leads directly to the sinkhole, where the terrain around the cave portal is somewhat more challenging.

What to discover in the vicinity

Right by the sinkhole, visitors will find the rock formation Kolíbky, a spot popular with rock climbers. In the village of Rudice, there is a historic brick windmill with a museum and geopark that maps the history of iron mining and glassmaking. Within easy reach are also the world-famous Propast Macocha and the Moravský kras caves open to the public, such as Punkevní jeskyně, Kateřinská jeskyně, or Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně. For families, a walk to the nearby Jedovnické rybníky is highly suitable.