Křéby

Křéby is a national nature monument situated in the cadastral territory of the village of Prasklice, in the Kroměříž District of the Zlín Region in Moravia, Czech Republic. The protected area consists of three islands of grassy slopes covering a total of 4.73 hectares, located roughly 0.6 km east of the village of Koválovice-Osíčany.

When was this protected area established?

Křéby was declared a national nature monument in 1956. The designation aimed to preserve a set of plant communities that are unusual for the wider region, having developed on the warm, sun-exposed slopes that define this small but ecologically significant site.

What makes Křéby ecologically valuable?

The main natural value of Křéby lies in its xerothermic vegetation — warmth-loving grass and herb communities typical of dry, sun-facing slopes across Central Europe. The dominant species here are Brachypodium pinnatum (tor-grass) and Peucedanum cervaria (deadly carrot), both characteristic of xerothermic grasslands.

The site is also home to rarer and legally protected species, including cornel (dogwood) and the large-flowered pasque-flower. Under favorable conditions, spring adonis — one of the earliest-blooming plants of dry grasslands — can also be found here. The presence of these species makes Křéby an important refuge for thermophilic flora in a region where such habitats have become increasingly scarce due to changes in land use.

How can visitors reach Křéby?

The most convenient access to the nature monument is from the village office in Prasklice, from where cycling route No. 5084 leads directly north to the protected area. An alternative is a comfortable field track running from the cemetery in Uhřice, approximately one kilometer long. From the nearby village of Koválovice u Tištína, Křéby is only about 700 meters away, making it the shortest of the available approaches.

Given its small size and specialized character, Křéby is best suited to visitors with an interest in nature and botany rather than travelers seeking a conventional tourist attraction with visitor infrastructure. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, when most of the site's characteristic plant species are in bloom.

Frequently asked questions

What is Křéby? It is a national nature monument in the cadastral area of Prasklice, protecting three islands of xerothermic grassland covering 4.73 hectares.

When was the area placed under protection? Legal protection was established in 1956.

Which plant species can be found here? Tor-grass and deadly carrot dominate the site, while rarer species include cornel, large-flowered pasque-flower, and spring adonis.

What is the best way to reach Křéby? The easiest route is cycling path No. 5084 from the Prasklice village office, a field track from the Uhřice cemetery, or the short 700-meter approach from Koválovice u Tištína.

Where exactly is this site located? In the Kroměříž District of the Zlín Region, within the cadastral territory of Prasklice, about 0.6 km east of Koválovice-Osíčany.