Sutice (natural monument)

Sutice is a small but geologically significant natural monument (přírodní památka) located between Starý Plzenec and Tymákov, in the Plzeň-město district of the Plzeň Region in the Czech Republic. The protected area stretches along a hillside slope above the Tymákov stream, at an elevation of 360 to 396 metres above sea level, covering just 1.83 hectares. Despite its modest size, Sutice ranks among the most important paleontological localities in the western part of the Prague Basin.

Why is this site protected?

Sutice preserves exposures of the lower layers of the Dobrotivá Formation, dating to the Ordovician period. It is one of the most extensive localities of this formation's lower section found anywhere in the western Prague Basin. The area was formally declared a natural monument on 15 November 1990, with the reason for protection being an exceptionally rich paleontological profile containing numerous trilobite fossils.

What can you find in the rocks of Sutice?

The protected area contains numerous small and larger rock outcrops revealing fine-grained, clayey, dark grey shales, occasionally with silty or sandy admixtures. It is within these layers that fossils of organisms living in the sea that once covered this region during the Ordovician — hundreds of millions of years ago — have been preserved.

The fossil fauna consists primarily of trilobites, prehistoric marine arthropods that are among the most characteristic elements of the fossil record from this period. Genera documented at the site include Cyclopyge, Degamella, Zeliszkella, Dindymene, and Ormathops. Beyond trilobites, the rocks of the Dobrotivá Formation have also yielded fossils of brachiopods, echinoderms, and conulariids — a group of organisms with a distinctive cone-shaped structure known exclusively from the fossil record.

Who is this site for?

Sutice appeals primarily to those interested in geology and paleontology — fossil enthusiasts, geology students, and travellers seeking less obvious but scientifically compelling destinations in the Plzeň region. This is not a typical scenic lookout or recreational spot, but a scientifically significant protected area offering a window into the geological history of Central Europe stretching back to the Ordovician, more than 450 million years ago.

The rock exposures within the monument are scattered along the slope, meaning a visit requires some patience and a careful eye — not every outcrop is equally impressive, and the most interesting paleontological finds tend to be small and easy to miss. It is also worth remembering that, as a protected area, Sutice is subject to nature conservation regulations, which restrict the collection of rock and fossil material.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sutice located? The Sutice natural monument lies between Starý Plzenec and Tymákov, in the Plzeň-město district, on a slope above the Tymákov stream at an elevation of 360–396 metres above sea level.

When was Sutice designated a protected area? The site was declared a natural monument on 15 November 1990.

How large is the protected area? Sutice covers an area of 1.83 hectares.

What makes Sutice scientifically notable? It is one of the most extensive localities of the lower Dobrotivá Formation in the western Prague Basin, containing Ordovician fossils of trilobites, brachiopods, echinoderms, and conulariids.

Can you collect fossils at Sutice? The site is protected as a natural monument, so collecting rock and fossil material is restricted — it is worth checking local regulations before visiting.