Krásná Lípa

Krásná Lípa is a small nature monument in the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), lying east of the village of Krásná Lípa near Křimov, in the Chomutov district of the Ústí nad Labem Region. It isn't a sightseeing spot with paths and signage built for crowds — its value lies in a rare plant that has all but disappeared from the rest of this part of the country.

Why was this site protected?

The area was declared a protected nature monument on 20 May 1992 by the district office in Chomutov. It is registered in the Central List of Nature Protection under number 1540 and is administered by the Regional Authority of the Ústí Region. The reason for protection is the presence of the only known population, at the foothills of the Ore Mountains, of the critically endangered pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens). Hundreds of clumps and individual plants grow here, making the site one of the more significant strongholds of the species in the region.

How big is it, and exactly where is it?

The protected area is tiny — just 1.23 hectares, at an elevation between 583 and 603 metres. It sits east of the village of Krásná Lípa, which administratively belongs to the municipality of Křimov. The gentle slope at the edge of the Ore Mountains, combined with a specific bedrock and microclimate, has allowed plants to survive here that have vanished from the surrounding countryside.

What other plants grow here?

Besides the pasque flower, the reserve hosts other specially protected species: spotted orchids (Dactylorhiza), martagon lily (Lilium martagon), and other meadow plants typical of dry, sun-exposed slopes at the edge of the Ore Mountains. This variety gives the site botanical importance that goes beyond the pasque flower alone, despite its small footprint.

What is its connection to the Bezruč Valley?

Since 3 November 2009, the site has formed part of the "Bezručovo údolí" (Bezruč Valley) Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network, covering a total of 11.95 square kilometres. This larger complex also includes two other small protected areas: the Buky nad Kameničkou nature reserve and the Bezručovo údolí nature monument. Its inclusion in Natura 2000 confirms that the ecological value of this corner of the Ore Mountains is recognised at a European, not just a national, level.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors walk through the Krásná Lípa nature monument? The site is accessible, but it is a strictly protected area because of its rare plants. Visitors should stay on marked paths and avoid picking any plants, especially the critically endangered pasque flower.

When is the best time to visit? Spring is the most rewarding season, when the pasque flower and orchids bloom and the reserve's botanical richness is easiest to see.

Is this the same Krásná Lípa as the town near the Bohemian Switzerland National Park? No. That is a different place entirely — a town of around 3,300 people in the Děčín district, near the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The Krásná Lípa described here is a small village and protected natural area near Křimov, in another part of the Ústí Region.

What is the main reason this area is protected? It holds the only population of the critically endangered pasque flower at the foothills of the Ore Mountains, alongside other rare meadow and orchid species.