Kamenárka

Kamenárka is a natural and geological site on the eastern edge of Štramberk, in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic, just a few hundred meters from the town center. It occupies a former limestone quarry that was worked from the Middle Ages until mining ceased around 1880. Today the site is a protected natural monument and a popular destination for visitors interested in both the region's industrial history and its distinctive wildlife.

Where does the name come from and what was Kamenárka originally?

The name reflects the site's stone-working past — the quarry produced Štramberk limestone, which was burned into lime in field kilns set up right at the extraction site. In the mid-19th century a rail track was built to carry the quarried stone by gravity down to kilns located near what is now Štramberk's railway station. Once quarrying ended, the exposed rock walls were gradually reclaimed by vegetation and eventually drew the attention of naturalists.

Why was it declared a natural monument?

Kamenárka received legal protection in 2001 to preserve a unique outcrop of Tithonian Štramberk limestone and the specially protected plant and animal species that live there. The protected area covers 4.46 hectares. The rock walls of the former quarry create a microclimate favorable to heat-loving species that are otherwise rare in this part of Moravia.

What species live here?

Among the most valuable inhabitants of Kamenárka are the wall lizard and the red-eyed Apollo butterfly. An endemic subspecies of the Apollo butterfly lived around Štramberk until it died out in the 1930s; the population found here today comes from a reintroduction of butterflies brought from Slovakia in 1986. The quarry's rocks also contain fossils of numerous prehistoric marine organisms, including snails, bivalves and ammonites, making the site notable for geology enthusiasts as well.

How to get there and what to know before visiting

A green-marked educational trail runs through Kamenárka, leading from Štramberk's botanical garden and arboretum up to the summit of Bílá hora, which has a lookout point on its northeastern side. Kamenárka forms the thirteenth stop of the Laš Educational Trail in Štramberk. The site is freely and permanently accessible, but the steep walls of the former quarry can be hazardous, so visitors should stick to the marked paths and follow the information boards placed on site.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to Kamenárka paid? No, the site is freely accessible year-round at no cost.

How much time does a visit take? Walking through the natural monument itself takes only a short while, but combined with the rest of the Laš Educational Trail and a climb up Bílá hora, the outing can take a few hours.

Is Kamenárka suitable for children? Yes, as long as care is taken near the steep walls of the former quarry — the educational trail itself is easy, but young children should be supervised close to the rock edges.

What is the site's main draw? The combination of geology (exposed Tithonian limestone with fossils) and nature (a population of Apollo butterflies and wall lizards) at a place with a documented mining history dating back to the Middle Ages.