Cigánské zmoly

Cigánské zmoly is a small but ecologically valuable site of former limestone quarries, situated between the villages of Grygov and Krčmaň in the Olomouc district of Moravia, Czech Republic, at an elevation of roughly 230 to 251 metres above sea level. Its name refers to the distinctive, undulating terrain left behind after centuries of limestone extraction that has since been abandoned.

Why was the site protected?

Once quarrying stopped, nature gradually reclaimed the exposed limestone ground. The nutrient-poor but warm, sun-exposed substrate allowed unusual xerothermal and subxerothermal plant communities to develop — vegetation types associated with dry, heat-retaining habitats that are increasingly rare in the wider landscape. On 14 August 2017, the Olomouc Region issued a decree declaring the area a nature monument (přírodní památka), granting it formal legal protection in recognition of its ecological significance.

What species live here?

The site supports several rare and endangered plant species tied closely to its dry, limestone-based habitat. Among the most notable is the greater pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis), recognisable by its large, deep-violet blooms that appear in early spring, alongside branched St Bernard's lily (Anthericum ramosum) and yellow flax (Linum flavum). Of particular importance is the presence of the lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus) — one of Central Europe's most distinctive and strictly protected orchids, named for its pouch-shaped, yellow-and-brown flower. The orchid's presence alone signals the exceptional ecological value of the site, since the species is extremely sensitive to any disturbance of its habitat conditions.

What does the former quarry landscape look like?

The defining feature of Cigánské zmoly is its irregular, wavy terrain, shaped by centuries of uncoordinated limestone extraction. Rather than flat, uniform ground, visitors encounter a patchwork of hollows, low mounds and exposed rock outcrops that together create a range of microhabitats — from intensely sunlit, dry patches to shadier corners. This microclimatic diversity is precisely what allows so many specialised plant species to coexist within a relatively compact area.

Where exactly is the site located?

Cigánské zmoly lies about 2.5 km northwest of the centre of Krčmaň, between the villages of Grygov and Krčmaň, in the Hornomoravský úval (Upper Morava Basin) region of Moravia. Its approximate coordinates are 49.528 N, 17.326 E.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors walk through Cigánské zmoly? As a legally protected nature monument, the site should be explored only along established paths, and no plants — especially the protected lady's slipper orchid — should ever be picked or disturbed.

When is the best time to visit? Spring offers the best chance to see the pasque flowers and orchids in bloom, though the xerothermal vegetation retains its character throughout the growing season.

What does the name "zmoly" refer to? The term describes the uneven, hollowed-out terrain typical of old, informally worked limestone quarries — exactly the landscape found at this site.