Pikritové mandlovce u Kojetína

Pikritové mandlovce u Kojetína is a small but geologically remarkable nature monument located south of the village of Kojetín, in the Nový Jičín district, straddling both sides of the road connecting Kojetín with the neighboring village of Straník. The protected area covers only 0.23 hectares, making it one of the smallest nature monuments in this part of Moravia, yet it draws geologists, amateur rockhounds, and travelers curious about unusual rock formations from across the region.

Why is this site protected?

The site was designated for protection because it serves as a stratotype — a reference geological profile — of a specific form of submarine volcanic activity dating back to the Early Cretaceous period. Within an abandoned quarry on the site, visitors can see exposed picritic mandelstones: volcanic rocks with a distinctive rounded, brownish appearance. These formed when hot fragments of lava settled together with volcanic sand and dust released during an underwater eruption. The outcrop is considered one of the most representative examples of this type of submarine volcanic process recorded in the territory of what are today the Outer Western Carpathians.

Where does the name come from?

The name of the reserve refers directly to the type of rock exposed here — picritic mandelstones ("mandlovec" derives from the Czech word for almond). These volcanic rocks are characterized by numerous almond-shaped inclusions within the rock mass, formed when gas bubbles trapped in cooling lava were later filled with secondary minerals. This structure is easy to spot with the naked eye, which is part of why the outcrop has both scientific and educational value.

When and how was the monument established?

The area was placed under protection by decree of the Nový Jičín District Office, No. 1/97, issued on April 23, 1997. The reserve lies within the cadastral territory of Kojetín u Starého Jičína, at an elevation of 482 to 500 meters above sea level, and forms part of the larger Pobeskydí Protected Landscape Area, which covers the foothills of the Silesian-Moravian Beskids.

What can you actually see there?

The centerpiece of the site is the disused quarry itself, where the rock exposures are clearly visible. Rounded, brown blocks of picritic mandelstone create an unusual, almost lunar-looking mini-landscape that stands in sharp contrast to the gentle, forested hills of the surrounding Pobeskydí area. The site is most rewarding for anyone with an interest in geology or the volcanic history of the region, though the walk between Kojetín and Straník through the surrounding countryside is a pleasant outing on its own.

Is the site accessible to visitors?

Yes — the reserve is freely accessible, without the entry restrictions typically found at strictly protected nature reserves that limit human impact. That said, since this is a site protected for its inanimate geological value, visitors are encouraged to be respectful of the outcrop and avoid removing rock fragments from the exposures.

Frequently asked questions

How large is this nature monument? The protected area covers 0.23 hectares.

What exactly is being protected here? An exposure of picritic mandelstones in an abandoned quarry, evidence of submarine volcanic activity from the Early Cretaceous period.

When was the site protected? On April 23, 1997, by decree of the Nový Jičín District Office.

Where exactly is it located? South of the village of Kojetín, on both sides of the road to Straník, at an elevation of 482–500 meters, within the Pobeskydí Protected Landscape Area.

Is entry free? Yes, the site is open to the public at any time.