Bohouškova skalka

Bohouškova skalka is a small nature reserve located northeast of the village of Čeradice, within the municipality of Kloboky, in the Kladno District of the Czech Republic. Covering just 1.82 hectares, this modest protected area is one of the more distinctive natural sites in the Central Bohemia region, situated in the Dolnooharská tabule landscape at an elevation of 310–316 meters above sea level.

What is this place?

Bohouškova skalka is a former quarry where opuka — a calcareous marlstone once widely used as a building material — was extracted for decades. After quarrying activity ceased, the exposed rock faces and nutrient-poor soil created ideal conditions for a very specific type of vegetation to take hold: plants adapted to dry, sun-baked, mineral-poor ground. It is precisely these unusual conditions that led to the site being placed under legal protection.

Why is this site protected?

The reserve was designated a natural monument by the District National Committee in Kladno on September 29, 1987. Today it is registered in the Central Nature Conservation Registry under number 1053 and falls under the administration of the Central Bohemian Regional Authority. The reason for protection is the presence of xerothermic (dry-loving) plant communities that developed on the rocky substrate of the abandoned quarry. Among the notable species found here is small restharrow (Ononis pusilla), a plant that thrives only in the warm, dry microclimate typical of exposed, sun-facing slopes like this one.

What does the landscape look like?

The former quarry site forms an irregular, rocky terrain, with layers of opuka rock exposed by decades of past extraction. These bare rock faces and scree slopes stand in sharp contrast to the surrounding farmland typical of this agricultural part of Bohemia. It is exactly this contrast — a raw, rocky pocket of wilderness set against gently rolling cultivated fields — that gives the site its distinctive character.

Who is this place for?

Bohouškova skalka appeals mainly to nature lovers, amateur botanists, and anyone seeking a quiet, lesser-visited corner of Central Bohemia away from crowds. This is not a site built for mass tourism — there is no extensive visitor infrastructure, and the appeal lies in observing the specific flora and geology of a former quarry rather than in facilities or amenities. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, when the xerothermic plants are in bloom and most visible.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Bohouškova skalka located? The reserve lies northeast of the village of Čeradice, within the municipality of Kloboky, in the Kladno District of the Central Bohemian Region.

How large is this protected area? The reserve covers 1.8216 hectares.

Since when has the site been protected? It was declared a natural monument on September 29, 1987, by decision of the District National Committee in Kladno.

What can visitors see here specifically? The remnants of a former opuka quarry along with xerothermic plant communities, including small restharrow, a species characteristic of dry, sun-exposed habitats.

Is there tourist infrastructure on site? No, this is a small, low-key nature reserve without developed trails or viewpoints — the main draw is the site's natural and geological character itself.