Kamenná slunce

Kamenná slunce ("Stone Suns") is one of the most unusual geological curiosities in the Czech Republic — a national nature monument located about one kilometer southeast of the village of Hnojnice, in the Louny district, within the boundaries of the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area. It is a phenomenon that has not been documented anywhere else in the world in this exact form, which makes it a genuinely rare stop for anyone curious about geology and volcanic processes.

What exactly are the "stone suns"?

The name comes straight from what you see on site: an exposed rock face of a former small quarry displays dozens of radiating, sun-like patterns etched into the stone. They formed inside an ancient volcanic vent, where cooler rock fragments acted as cooling centers within the surrounding magma. Because the material around these centers cooled unevenly, it cracked outward in radiating lines, producing patterns that resemble a sun with rays spreading from a central point.

How large are these formations?

The individual "suns" range from just a few centimeters to about one meter in diameter. Within the protected area, visitors can count roughly fifteen larger, clearly visible structures, alongside dozens of smaller ones sharing the same radiating fracture pattern.

Why is the site protected?

The area first gained protected status in 1953, shortly after the phenomenon was described by geologist M. Malkovský. Its significance grew over time — since 1992, Kamenná slunce has held the status of a national nature monument, the highest level of protection for inanimate nature within the Czech legal system. This elevated status reflects the site's global uniqueness: no comparable structures have been recorded anywhere else.

What will you find there today?

Kamenná slunce occupies a former small quarry, now freely open to visitors. The exposed rock face still bears visible traces of past quarrying, which actually works in visitors' favor — the extraction exposed the rock layers where the radiating "suns" are best seen and easiest to appreciate up close.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, the site is freely accessible at no cost — it's a former small quarry open to the public.

How did the stone suns form? They are the remnant of a volcanic vent. Cooler rock fragments within the surrounding magma became cooling centers, around which the material cracked radially, creating sun-shaped patterns.

Since when has the site been protected? Protection began in 1953, and the area has held national nature monument status since 1992.

How many "suns" are visible? About fifteen larger, clearly visible structures, plus dozens of smaller ones.

Where exactly is the site located? About one kilometer southeast of the village of Hnojnice, in the Louny district, Ústí nad Labem Region, within the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area.