Barrandovské skály

Barrandovské skály (Barrandov Rocks) is a small but scientifically significant nature reserve on the left bank of the Vltava River, at the southwestern edge of Prague, near the Barrandov district and Malá Chuchle. The protected area covers roughly 11.57 hectares and was designated a national nature monument on September 1, 1982. Its coordinates are approximately 50.035°N, 14.4019°E.

Why are these rocks so important?

Barrandovské skály preserve an almost continuous geological profile of sedimentary and volcanic rocks from the Silurian and Devonian periods, documenting the Paleozoic development of the Prague Basin. Rock outcrops and the walls of former quarries reveal a sequence of formations — starting with the Motol Formation, marked by basaltic volcanism near Malá Chuchle, continuing through the Silurian Kopanina and Požáry formations (spanning the Wenlock, Ludlow, and Přídolí stages), and finishing with the Devonian Lochkov, Prague, and Zlíchov formations.

This site holds an internationally recognized stratotype of the Zlíchov Stage, along with reference sections of the Prague and Zlíchov formations that support the globally accepted Silurian-Devonian boundary stratotype in Bohemia. For geologists worldwide, the location ranks among the most important rock exposures in Europe, offering a precise fossil record from a period when life on Earth was undergoing major transformation.

Where does the name come from?

The reserve is named after Joachim Barrande, a French engineer and paleontologist who spent decades studying fossils in the Prague area and produced one of the most important paleontological works of the 19th century, documenting the Paleozoic fauna of Bohemia. The site was named in his honor almost a year after his death, in 1884. This made Barrandovské skály the oldest geological reserve within the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy, and possibly the oldest protected area of its kind in all of Europe.

What can visitors see?

Visitors can admire steep rock faces and remnants of former quarries that, over decades of extraction, exposed successive layers of sedimentary rock. The cliffs rise above the Vltava valley, and their location right next to the Barrandov Bridge and the Barrandov housing estate makes them easily accessible from central Prague. The reserve borders Chuchelský háj, another valuable natural area, making the surroundings appealing for a longer walk combining geological and natural highlights.

Frequently asked questions

Can Barrandovské skály be visited independently? Yes, the site is publicly accessible, and a nature trail connects the reserve with Chuchelský háj, making it easy to explore without a guide.

Why is this site scientifically important? Because of its almost uninterrupted geological record spanning the Silurian-Devonian boundary — one of the pivotal moments in the history of life on Earth — studied here since the time of Joachim Barrande.

How do you get to Barrandovské skály from central Prague? The reserve lies in the Barrandov district, close to the Barrandov Bridge, making it easily reachable by public transport from the city center.

Is this the only geological reserve of its age in the region? Yes — Barrandovské skály is considered the oldest geological reserve within the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy, established back in the 19th century.