Křtinský lom

Křtinský lom is a small but ecologically remarkable nature reserve at the northern edge of the village of Křtiny, in the Blansko district, within the Moravian Karst region of the Czech Republic. It occupies the site of a former, partially flooded stone quarry where shale was once extracted. The area was granted protected status in 2010 and covers just under 3 hectares in total, with the strictly protected core measuring roughly 2.96 hectares.

Why is this site protected?

The reserve owes its protection to a rare combination of plant and animal communities that developed spontaneously once quarrying stopped. As extraction ceased, water gradually filled parts of the quarry floor, creating a mosaic of aquatic, wetland, and rocky habitats — an unusual mix for this part of Moravia that supports species with very different ecological needs, from moisture-loving amphibians to plants adapted to sun-baked stone surfaces.

What can you see here?

The most valuable part of the reserve is the lower level of the old quarry, where a wetland environment has formed. This is home to a population of the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), a strictly protected amphibian considered critically endangered across much of Central Europe. Its presence gives Křtinský lom a conservation value that extends well beyond the local scale.

Among the notable plant species is the early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), which favors damp meadows and pond margins, alongside long-stalked yellow sedge (Carex viridula) and Laxmann's bulrush (Typha laxmannii) — species typical of marshy, waterside habitats.

The geology behind the quarry

Geologically, the exposed rock faces belong to the Rozstání Formation, making the site of interest not only to naturalists but also to anyone curious about the region's mining history. The quarry sits at an elevation of roughly 444 to 536 meters above sea level, with a total area, including surroundings, of about 3 hectares.

Visiting Křtinský lom

The reserve lies right next to Křtiny, a village best known for its Baroque pilgrimage church, which makes it easy to combine a visit here with exploring the wider area. Because the site is protected and hosts sensitive habitats — including a breeding site for the great crested newt — visitors are encouraged to stick to marked paths and keep noise to a minimum, especially during the amphibians' breeding season.

Frequently asked questions

Is Křtinský lom a natural body of water? No — it is a former stone quarry where shale was once mined. Water only appeared after extraction stopped, gradually filling part of the quarry floor.

What is the most valuable species found here? The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), a critically endangered amphibian for which the flooded lower level of the quarry serves as an important breeding habitat.

When was the area protected? In 2010, due to the unique plant and animal communities that developed on the site of the disused quarry.

Can visitors walk freely around the site? The area is protected, so visitors are advised to stay on marked trails to avoid disturbing the habitats of sensitive species.