Tupadelské skály

Tupadelské skály is a protected rock formation located roughly four kilometers west of the town of Klatovy, on the southern edge of the village of Tupadly, within the Švihov Highlands in the Czech Republic. The site preserves a striking outcrop of quartzite rock stretching nearly 250 meters in length and about 20 meters in width, rising 15 to 20 meters above the surrounding terrain. It ranks among the largest, and simultaneously the most southwesterly, exposures of the quartzite belt belonging to the Barrandian Proterozoic — a geological formation of long-standing scientific interest. The area has held nature monument status since 1967 and is managed by the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic.

What are the rocks made of?

The Tupadelské rocks are formed mainly of black to dark grey deep-sea silicites, sedimentary rock that formed from processes occurring on the floor of a prehistoric ocean millions of years ago. The hardness of this rock and its resistance to erosion allowed it to rise above the surrounding landscape over the millennia, creating the distinctive, photogenic rocky ridge visible from a distance today.

What can visitors see on site?

The nature monument offers several notable rock and natural features. Walking among the outcrops, visitors encounter so-called stone seas — wide fields of rock debris produced by frost weathering over long periods. Rock windows, natural openings that pierce through sections of the rock walls, add another distinctive element, as does a moss waterfall, where water trickles down surfaces coated in moss, creating a unique, humid microclimate. The area is further covered with lush fern growth, thriving in the shaded, moist conditions found between the rock formations.

What is the historical significance of the site?

Tupadelské skály also carries a chapter tied to literary history and regional folklore. After 1784, the German writer Christian Heinrich Spiess, an author of horror novels who lived from 1755 to 1799, built a hermitage among the Tupadly rocks. He arrived there at the invitation of Count Künigel, who entrusted him with managing the nearby Bezděkov estate. Spiess settled at the site together with his companion, the actress Sofie Körnerová. This episode is still recalled today as a curious link between the region's wild rock landscape and an unusual literary figure of the Romantic era.

Why is it worth visiting?

Tupadelské skály brings together geological, natural, and cultural appeal in a single compact site. For geology enthusiasts, it offers a rare opportunity to observe an exposed section of Proterozoic rock in its natural setting. For visitors seeking quiet, the shade of surrounding trees, the damp undergrowth of ferns, and the stillness among the rock formations create an atmosphere far removed from urban noise. Its proximity to Klatovy, only about four kilometers away, makes it an easily reachable destination for a short walking or cycling excursion from the town.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Tupadelské skály located? It lies about four kilometers west of Klatovy, on the southern edge of the village of Tupadly, within the Švihov Highlands.

Since when has the site been protected? The area has been protected as a nature monument since 1967.

How tall are the rocks? The rocky ridge stretches nearly 250 meters in length and rises 15 to 20 meters high.

What can be seen at the site? Stone seas, rock windows, a moss waterfall, and rich fern vegetation.

What is the site's literary connection? After 1784, writer Christian Heinrich Spiess built a hermitage there and lived with actress Sofie Körnerová while managing the nearby Bezděkov estate.