About this place
Červený kopec is a national nature monument located in the Štýřice district of Brno, a few hundred meters from Jihlavská street. The protected area consists of two separate sections: a larger one in the northwestern part of the former Kohna brickworks excavation site, about 200 meters north of Jihlavská, and a smaller one located directly along that street, above the tram line, near Brno's crematorium.
Why is this site protected?
The site is protected for its exceptional geological profile, which exposes Quaternary sediments together with paleontological finds. It is a rare reference profile containing loess deposits interbedded with buried fossil soils. The profile reveals roughly 20 layers of fossil soil that formed continuously over approximately 2.6 million years. This makes Červený kopec one of the most important Quaternary sites in Central Europe, allowing researchers to reconstruct successive stages of climate and landscape change.
When was the nature monument established?
The area was granted legal protection in 1970. The protected zone covers 0.55 hectares — a small but scientifically outstanding fragment of the landscape. It is managed by the administration of the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Moravský kras), even though Červený kopec itself lies outside the boundaries of that park, within the city of Brno.
What can visitors see there?
The exposed rock layers effectively let visitors read the history of the earth: alternating bands of loess and fossil soils reflect cyclical climate changes — cold, dry periods during which loess accumulated, and warmer periods when soils formed instead. The site has also yielded numerous paleontological finds documenting plant and animal life from hundreds of thousands of years ago, as well as traces of human presence from earlier eras.
Why is it worth a visit?
For decades, Červený kopec has drawn scientists from around the world; field excursions and academic conferences on Quaternary geology are regularly held here. For non-specialists, it offers a rare chance to see millions of years of Earth's history recorded in a single rock exposure, without needing to visit a specialized museum.
Frequently asked questions
What is Červený kopec? It is a national nature monument in Brno protecting a unique geological profile with Quaternary sediments and numerous fossil soil layers.
When was it protected? Since 1970, covering an area of 0.55 hectares.
Where exactly is it located? In the Štýřice district, along Jihlavská street, within the former Kohna brickworks excavation site and a smaller section near the crematorium.
Who manages the site? The administration of the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Moravský kras).
What do scientists find here? About 20 layers of fossil soil formed over 2.6 million years, along with paleontological finds documenting past climates and fauna.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.