Slanice pramen

Slanice Spring (Slanice – pramen) is a small but geologically significant nature reserve set in the wooded valley of the Slanický stream on the Zlín Highlands, roughly 700 meters south of the Podhoří settlement within the town of Zlín in the Czech Republic. Despite covering a mere 2 square meters, the site has held protected status since 2000 thanks to an unusual geological feature: a natural mineral water spring.

What makes this spring special?

The water emerging from the spring is weakly mineralized and classified as a sodium hydrogen-carbonate-chloride type. It stands out for its elevated fluoride and iodide content and is described as hypertonic. Hydrogen sulfide is also present, but at a concentration below 1 mg/l — too low to qualify the water as a sulfurous mineral spring. This particular chemical signature is precisely why the spot was designated a protected natural monument, serving as a small-scale record of the region's geological processes.

Where exactly is it located?

The spring sits on the edge of a broadleaf forest dominated by beech trees, within a quiet, wooded valley known for its recreational character. The surroundings are peaceful and lightly visited, offering a close-to-untouched natural setting. The coordinates place it at approximately 49.2098 N, 17.6321 E, in the southern part of Zlín, toward the town's more rural and semi-rural outskirts.

Can visitors drink the water?

Locals and hikers occasionally draw water from the spring, a practice rooted in local tradition rather than any formal spa or bottling operation. Given its small scale and undeveloped, natural state, visitors should treat water collection as a local custom rather than a fully equipped tourist attraction with guaranteed facilities.

How do you get there?

The valley of the Slanický stream can be reached on foot from the vicinity of Podhoří, part of the greater Zlín urban area. The route passes through gently rolling forested terrain typical of the Zlín Highlands — a hilly region covered in mixed and broadleaf woodland, crisscrossed by numerous small streams and watercourses.

Why is it worth a visit?

Slanice Spring illustrates how even a modest, easily overlooked spot can hold a genuinely interesting geological story. For nature and geology enthusiasts, it offers a chance to see a natural mineral spring in its original forest setting, far removed from developed, commercialized spa resorts. It also makes for a pleasant, quiet walk through one of the lesser-known green corners around Zlín.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Slanice spring open to the public? Yes, it lies within forested land accessible on foot, though it lacks extensive tourist infrastructure.

Since when has the area been protected? The site has held nature protection status since 2000.

What type of mineral water does it produce? A weakly mineralized, sodium hydrogen-carbonate-chloride water with elevated fluoride and iodide levels.

Does the water contain hydrogen sulfide? Yes, but at a concentration below 1 mg/l, which is not enough to classify it as sulfurous mineral water.

How large is the protected area? Only about 2 square meters, making it one of the smallest protected sites in the region.