Propast Macocha
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.
