Na černé rudě

Na černé rudě is a natural monument in the Czech Republic, perched above the valley of the Vrchlice reservoir roughly 1.4 km north of the village of Malešov in the Kutná Hora district, Central Bohemia region. It protects the underground workings of a former magnetite mine, including collapsed mining chambers that today serve as one of the region's most important bat hibernation sites.

Where does the name come from and what was mined here?

The site's name refers directly to the ore once extracted here — "black ore," meaning magnetite, a high-quality iron ore. It was mined intermittently from the early 18th century onward, with the final phase of deep mining and exploration work ending in 1957, after which the mine was abandoned. What remains is a two-level system of workings, combining steep open galleries with partially collapsed chambers.

Why is this place protected?

The Na černé rudě natural monument was declared in 2001, and its protection has little to do with geology or mining heritage — it exists because of what the abandoned workings mean for local wildlife. The underground passages and chambers create a stable, cool, and humid microclimate that is ideal for bats seeking winter shelter. This is precisely why the site was recognized as a significant hibernation site for bat species, some of which are especially sensitive to disturbance during winter dormancy.

In the 1990s, the former mine was partially rehabilitated and secured with iron grilles. This intervention served two purposes at once: stabilizing the unstable, partly collapsed workings, and ensuring bats could still move freely in and out while keeping people from entering. As a result, a bat population was able to establish itself here, using the underground spaces as a safe winter refuge.

Can visitors explore Na černé rudě?

No — access to the natural monument is not permitted. The restriction follows directly from the reason it was protected in the first place: human presence during the winter months could disturb hibernating bats, which is particularly dangerous for them since every unwanted awakening burns through the limited energy reserves they need to survive until spring. The site is managed by the Regional Authority of the Central Bohemia Region, which oversees the security measures and general upkeep of the area.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Na černé rudě located? Above the valley of the Vrchlice reservoir, about 1.4 km north of Malešov, in the Kutná Hora district of the Central Bohemia region.

What was mined at the former mine? Magnetite, a high-quality iron ore, extracted intermittently from the early 18th century until mining finally ended in 1957.

Why was the site designated a natural monument? Because its underground workings function as an important bat hibernation site — that ecological role, recognized in 2001, is the main reason for protection.

Is it possible to enter the old mine? No, the area is closed to visitors, and the entrances are secured with grilles that protect both the bats and anyone who might otherwise try to get in.

Who manages the site? The Regional Authority of the Central Bohemia Region (Krajský úřad Středočeského kraje).