Černá skála (natural monument, Blansko District)

Černá skála is a small but ecologically valuable natural monument located in the cadastral area of the village of Lipovec, in the Blansko District of the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic. The site sits near the settlement of Marianín, at an elevation of roughly 540 metres above sea level, within the Drahany Highlands (Drahanská vrchovina) — a hilly, partly forested region of eastern Moravia known for its rocky outcrops and former quarries.

What is Černá skála?

The site occupies the site of a former, now-disused stone quarry. After quarrying activity ceased, a small pool of water formed in the depression left behind by the extraction, and over time this modest pond became a valuable habitat for amphibians. It is this unassuming body of water — rather than any dramatic rock formation — that gives the protected area its main ecological value.

Why is the site protected?

The area was formally declared a natural monument on 20 February 1996. The protected zone is remarkably small, covering just 0.03 hectares, making Černá skála one of the smallest protected sites of its kind in the region. Despite its tiny footprint, it serves an important ecological role: the flooded former quarry provides breeding conditions for amphibians, which increasingly struggle to find suitable natural habitats in the surrounding agricultural landscape. The site is managed and monitored by the Regional Authority of the South Moravian Region.

What is the surrounding landscape like?

The Drahany Highlands, where Černá skála is situated, feature varied terrain cut through by valleys and covered largely by mixed forest. Disused quarries like the one at Černá skála are not uncommon here — building stone was extracted across the region for decades, and once operations stopped, many such sites naturally reverted to green, semi-wild enclaves. The proximity of Marianín, a settlement administratively part of Lipovec, gives the area a quiet, rural character, well away from the region's larger towns.

Is it worth visiting?

Černá skála is not designed for mass tourism — it's a destination better suited to those interested in local nature, geology, or the region's quarrying history. Because of its protected status and small size, visitors should respect conservation rules: avoid entering the water and refrain from disturbing the amphibians, particularly during their spring breeding season. It makes for a worthwhile short stop on a walking route through the Drahany Highlands, offering a glimpse of how nature can reclaim ground once shaped by industrial activity.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Černá skála located? In the cadastral territory of Lipovec, in the Blansko District of the South Moravian Region, near the settlement of Marianín, at about 540 metres above sea level.

When was the site protected? It was declared a natural monument on 20 February 1996.

What does this natural monument protect? Its main purpose is protecting a small pool at the bottom of a former quarry, home to an abundant population of amphibians.

How large is the protected area? Just 0.03 hectares — one of the smallest natural monuments in the region.

Can visitors walk around freely? Yes, but given its protected status, visitors should take care not to enter the water or disturb the wildlife.