Skály (natural monument)

Skály is a protected nature monument located roughly 0.5 km north of the village of Držková in the Zlín district of Moravia, Czech Republic. The reserve covers a small stretch of forest along the ridge and southern slope of the Skály hill (536 m above sea level), at elevations between 435 and 536 meters. It was formally declared a protected nature monument on April 16, 1987, and covers just under 7 hectares.

What makes these rocks special?

The protected feature here is a striking group of rock formations made of sandstone and conglomerate, representing a classic example of the so-called Soláň layers of the Magura flysch, part of the Kuželek-Křemeničná anticline zone. The forested slope hosts four larger rock massifs along with numerous smaller formations. Millennia of weathering have carved distinctive hollows, honeycomb-like cavities, and drainage grooves into the stone, giving the rocks a richly textured, sculptural surface.

What are the individual rocks called?

Climbing guidebooks give each formation its own, often playful name: Držkovská jehla (Držková Needle), Plotnička, Druhá skála (Second Rock), Třetí skála (Third Rock), Eiger, Stěna nad bivakem (Wall Above the Bivouac), Čtvrtá skála (Fourth Rock), Držkovská placka, Stromová, Trpasličí (Dwarf Rock), Děravá stěna (Holey Wall), and Skluzavka (Slide). Slightly north of the protected area's boundary lie the so-called Zadní skály (Back Rocks), where three towers — East, Middle, and West — reach heights of up to about 20-25 meters.

Can you go climbing here?

Yes. The larger rock faces have long served as a popular practice area for climbers. An extensive, stepped rock wall, divided into several distinct sectors, reaches up to about 25 meters in places and offers routes across a range of mostly lower difficulty grades, making the site a draw for beginners and more experienced climbers alike.

What history is tied to these rocks?

The Držková rocks carry a turbulent past. In 1907, a tragic confrontation took place here between poacher Josef Šarman and gamekeepers, along with Count Seilern, lord of the Luková estate. The site is also linked to World War II history: British paratroopers hid beneath the rocks, sheltering in one of the overhangs where they even set up a radio station to maintain contact with the Allies.

Why are they sometimes called the "creaking rocks"?

Some of the surrounding formations are known locally as "Vrzavé skály," or "Creaking Rocks" — a name derived from the distinctive sound they make in strong wind, when nearby tree branches rub against the rock walls.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Skály located? About 0.5 km north of the center of Držková village, in the Zlín district of eastern Czech Republic.

When was the area protected? It was declared a nature monument on April 16, 1987.

Is the site suitable for climbing? Yes, it is a popular multi-sector practice area with routes of varying, mostly lower difficulty, and walls reaching up to 25 meters.

What else is there to see besides climbing? Unusual weathering formations — hollows, honeycomb cavities, and grooves carved into the sandstone — as well as sites tied to a poaching tragedy and wartime resistance activity.

How large is the protected area? Just under 7 hectares of forest along the ridge and slope of the Skály hill.