Moravian Karst

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Jakubovo jezero lake in the Moravian Karst
Masarykův dóm in the Punkva caves

The Moravian Karst (Czech. Moravský kras ), formerly also Moravian Switzerland , is a low mountain range in the Czech Republic north of Brno . Characteristic for this part of the Drahaner Bergland are landscape elements typical of a karst , such as caves , sinkholes , streams and dry valleys. Since 1956 the area has been under state protection as ChKO Moravský kras ( Protected Landscape Area Moravian Karst).

Topographic description

The Moravian Karst lies north of Brno and east of Blansko and covers an area of ​​around 92 km². The highest point of the karst plateau is in the north near Sloup on Helišova skala (613 m). The power of water created a multitude of form elements in the karst area. The mostly dry, canyon-like valleys are cut up to 150 m into the limestone plateau . The sinkholes characteristic of the Karst can be found on the plateaus . Some of the rivers and streams simply disappear underground and reappear in other places. Today more than 1000 caves are known in the entire karst area. The largest cave system , the Amatérská jeskyně (amateur cave), to which the Punkevní jeskyně show cave belongs, has a total length of 30 kilometers. The largest and deepest sinkhole of the Moravian Karst ( Macocha ) is 138 meters deep. This makes the Moravian Karst one of the most important karst areas in Europe.

geology

The Moravian Karst is made up of limestones from the Middle and Lower Carboniferous .

natural reserve

As early as 1956, the area was declared a landscape protection area over an area of ​​94 km². The administration is located in Blansko . Eleven nature reserves, four national nature reserves and two national natural monuments are designated for particularly valuable parts of the landscape. The entire area belongs to the European Natura 2000 network .

tourism

The Moravian Karst was opened up for tourism at an early stage. The first show caves were set up at the beginning of the 20th century. Today four of the 1000 caves are open to visitors. The most important tourist center is the Skalní mlýn (rock mill) in the Punkva valley, from which the important sights of the Punkva Cave, Macocha Gorge and Catherine Cave can be reached. Numerous hiking trails lead through this much-visited area.

The Moravian Karst is also an important climbing area in the Czech Republic. Many of the country's toughest climbing routes are also located here. In September 2011 Adam Ondra first climbed the Perlorodka route, probably the most difficult climbing route in the Czech Republic .

Attractions

Macocha Gorge seen from the Punkevní Cave
  • The Balcarka Cave is located near Ostrov u Macochy ( Bretterschlag ) and offers numerous stalactites in various shapes.
  • The Sloup-Šošůvka Cave in Sloup is one of the oldest show caves in Central Europe and shows stalactites of various sizes and shapes. A factory for aircraft engine parts was housed in part of this cave system ( Kulna Cave ) during the Second World War.
  • The Katharinenhöhle has been accessible since 1910. Although part of the ceiling in the largest cathedral of this cave has collapsed and destroyed the stalactites located there, beautiful specimens such as the "bamboo grove" or a stalactite in the shape of a witch can be found on the edges and in side caves . Concerts are also held here.
  • There are also countless stalactite formations in the Punkva cave. On foot and by boat on the Punkva River, which is still underground here, you will travel through the underworld. One of the highlights is the view from the bottom through the macocha ("stepmother") up to the sky. A dome of the cave has collapsed and now forms a football field-sized hole in the landscape over 100 meters deep.
  • Near the village of Holštejn there is the medieval castle ruin Holštejn ( hollow stone ), of which only small remains have been preserved. In the rock under the castle there is the freely accessible Lidomorna cave, which is well worth seeing .

Besides the caves, the region still locks (has Blansko , Rájec nad Svitavou ) to offer or the pilgrimage Křtiny ( Kiritein ) with the Monastery Křtiny (a glorious Sanctuary) or the old blast furnace of Huť Františka ( Francis' hut ).

The region was mapped by the Czech archaeologist and speleologist Karl Absolon .

literature

  • Johannes Baier (2019): The Balcarka Cave in the Moravian Karst . - In: Fossils 36 (2): 4-9; Wiebelsheim.

Web links

Commons : Moravian karst  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 49 ° 21 ′ 45 ″  N , 16 ° 42 ′ 6 ″  E