Jeskyně Českých bratří

The Cave of the Czech Brothers (Jeskyně českých bratří) is a rock shelter in Bohemian Switzerland (České Švýcarsko), near the hamlet of Mezná, right beside the famous Pravčická Gate. It is the kind of stop that is easy to walk past if you stick to the main trail, yet worth the short detour for its geology, its layered history, and its present-day appeal to climbers.

Where is the cave and how do you get there?

The site sits within Bohemian Switzerland National Park, in the Hřensko sector, roughly 200 meters off the red-marked hiking trail that follows the old Path of Friendship (Stezka přátelství) toward Pravčická Gate. Entry is free and unrestricted — visitors simply step off the main route at the marked spot. From the immediate surroundings there are views across the opposite ridges and rock formations typical of this part of the region.

How did this rock shelter form?

The Cave of the Czech Brothers is a pseudokarst formation carved into the sandstone typical of the Elbe Sandstones (Labské pískovce). It formed through deep weathering of the rock along bedding planes: rainwater and erosion, acting over thousands of years, washed out the softer sandstone layers and left behind a long, shallow chamber that is better described as a large rock overhang than a classic karst cave. Inside, a round stone table has survived, shaped by the same erosional forces and now one of the shelter's distinctive features.

Where does the name come from?

The name refers to events from nearly four centuries ago. After the Battle of White Mountain in 1620 and the subsequent persecution of non-Catholic inhabitants of Bohemia, rock shelters in this area are said to have served as hideouts for religious exiles, including members of the Unity of the Czech Brethren — which is how the cave got its present name. The site was used as a shelter long before the seventeenth century, too: traces of activity in the surrounding area are also linked to Mesolithic hunters from roughly eight thousand years ago and Neolithic settlers from roughly five thousand years ago, who sought cover from the weather in similar rock overhangs.

Can visitors explore it today, and is it open to climbers?

The site is open year-round as a viewpoint and a stop along the hiking trail. It is also registered with the Czech climbing federation as a climbing area — one documented route, "Horizontální pracovník" (grade VIIIb), was established in 1984 by L. Černý, running up through the rear of the shelter and through a fissure in the ceiling above the overhang to the top. Climbing is permitted only between July 1 and January 31; outside that window it is off-limits to protect the surrounding nature. Night climbing and the use of chalk (magnesium carbonate) are also prohibited, in line with the traditional sandstone-climbing rules that apply across the Elbe Sandstones region. The area is overseen by the local climbing commission (OVK Labské pískovce).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entrance fee?

No, access is free — you just leave the main trail at the marked point.

How far is the cave from Pravčická Gate?

It lies right next to it, along the old Path of Friendship, only a few minutes' walk away.

Can you climb there anytime?

No — climbing is allowed only from July 1 to January 31, with no night climbing and no chalk permitted.

Is it a true karst cave?

No, it is a pseudokarst sandstone formation — in practice a large rock overhang created by weathering along the rock's bedding planes, rather than a cave hollowed out by underground water in limestone.