Chráněná krajinná oblast Český kras
The Chráněná krajinná oblast Český kras can be found southwest of Prague, in the Středočeský kraj. This limestone territory, covering an area of 130 km², was declared a protected landscape area in 1972. The locality is unique not only in terms of its landscape, fauna, and flora but also for its geological past and history.
The name Český kras was given to this territory by the famous researcher Jaroslav Petrbok; the reason for this designation was the geological structure and the karst character of the landscape. For geologists, this locality is significant in terms of studying the history of the planet; at Klonk near Suchomasty, there is a global boundary between the formations of the early Paleozoic era, the Silurian and the Devonian.
Karst areas are characterised by the occurrence of caves, and it is no different in the Český kras, where there are over 700 of them. Most of them are small; only ten of them have a length of more than 300 metres. They preserve knowledge about the prehistoric fauna of the Quaternary period as well as traces of human settlement. Paleozoic limestone, shale, and volcanics serving as the bedrock represent an ideal environment for rare plants and animals. In the Český kras, for example, you can find the largest Czech locality of the critically endangered dragonhead (Dracocephalum austriacum). Thanks to the natural environment, some species of reptiles and amphibians occur here, such as the dice snake and the smooth snake, or the European green lizard and the fire salamander. Insect species in this territory are also diverse; 1,390 species of butterflies alone can be found here.
Significant localities with rich fossil finds occur in this area. In this respect, the Český kras was made famous in the 19th century by the French geologist and palaeontologist Joachim Barrande, who described many sites. The most famous localities include Koněprusy, Loděnice, Budňanská skála in Karlštejn, or Lochkov. You can view some fossils in Skryje, where you will also find a monument to the geologist.
Of the hundreds of caves in the Český kras, the most extensive are the Koněpruské jeskyně. These are also the longest cave system in Bohemia discovered to date. The caves have been accessible to the public since 1959, and currently, visitors can admire the stalactite decoration on two levels. The oldest stalactite formations resemble Brussels sprouts and are completely unique. Skeletal remains of animals, up to 1.5 million years old, were found in the cave. For all visitors of an adventurous nature, there are tours by flashlight, always on the last Monday of the month, during which you will get to know the Koněpruské jeskyně just as the speleologists discovered them.
You can discover and admire nature thanks to the educational trails Zlatý kůň, Vodácká naučná stezka Berounka, Svatojánský okruh, or Naučná stezka Karlštejn. For breathtaking photographs, it is recommended to go to the Lom Velká Amerika. However, the Český kras is not just about nature and karst phenomena. Among the most popular tourist destinations is the medieval royal hrad Karlštejn with three tour circuits. In the village of Karlštejn, there is also a Muzeum voskových figurín, where you will get to know personalities of Czech history. Tourists also frequently visit the pilgrimage church Svatý Jan pod Skalou.
Find pleasant accommodation near the Chráněná krajinná oblast Český kras so that you can set off on your sightseeing trip as early as possible in the morning. Try looking for apartments in Srbsko or guesthouses in Mníšek pod Brdy. The district town of Beroun also offers very good options, where you will find guesthouses and apartments as well as cheaper private accommodation or a hostel. You can also reach the Český kras by Pražská integrovaná doprava, so nothing prevents you from booking accommodation in the centre of Prague and comfortably taking a trip to the Český kras by bus or train.
