Skalka u Žehušic

Skalka u Žehušic is a small but geologically notable protected area in the Kutná Hora district of the Czech Republic, set in a bend of the Brslenka river along the road connecting the villages of Rohozec and Žehušice. The reserve protects the remains of former small quarries where a limestone-marl rock known locally as opuka, dating from the Cretaceous period, is exposed at the surface.

What is being protected here?

The name of the site literally means "little rock," referring to the rocky outcrops left behind by historical quarrying. These exposed rock faces are the core reason for the area's protection: the walls of the old workings show clear traces of abrasion, the gradual mechanical wearing of rock by water and wave action that took place in the distant geological past. The rock is also a paleontological site — fossils of organisms from the Mesozoic era are preserved within the opuka layers, dating from a time when a shallow chalk sea covered this part of the Czech lands. For geologists and paleontologists, the site offers valuable documentary evidence of ancient sedimentation conditions and marine life from tens of millions of years ago.

Water as a second layer of protection

Part of the former quarry has become flooded over time, forming a small pond. Although it originated artificially, this body of water has since developed into an important refuge for the fauna of standing waters — amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, and other species associated with pond and small wetland habitats. This secondary but valuable ecosystem is now considered an integral part of the reserve's natural value, alongside its purely geological features.

A long history of protection

The site was granted legal protection on 3 February 1946, making it one of the older protected geological features in the region. Under the IUCN classification system, the reserve falls into Category III — Natural Monument or Feature, a designation reserved for single, clearly defined landscape elements of exceptional scientific, cultural, or aesthetic value. In the case of Skalka u Žehušic, that element is the unique geological exposure together with its fossil content.

What to know before visiting

Skalka u Žehušic is primarily a site of scientific and educational interest rather than a conventional scenic viewpoint, and it will appeal most to visitors with an interest in geology, paleontology, or freshwater wildlife. It lies in a quiet, rural corner of the Central Bohemian Region, not far from the well-known Kačina chateau and the town of Žehušice, making it easy to combine with other regional sights.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Skalka u Žehušic located? In the Kutná Hora district, in a bend of the Brslenka river, along the road between Rohozec and Žehušice.

What is protected within the reserve? Former quarry workings exposing Cretaceous opuka rock with abrasion traces and Mesozoic fossils, as well as a flooded section of the quarry that serves as habitat for standing-water fauna.

Since when has the area been protected? Since 3 February 1946.

What is its IUCN protection category? Category III — Natural Monument or Feature, covering a single, exceptional natural feature.

Who is this site most interesting for? Mainly visitors interested in geology and paleontology, though the flooded quarry also draws those interested in local aquatic wildlife.