U Báby - U Lomu

U Báby – U Lomu is a small but remarkably interesting nature monument near the village of Žihle, on the cadastral territory of Nový Dvůr in the Plzeň-sever district of the Czech Republic. Despite covering only a few hundred square metres, it ranks among the most frequently visited protected sites in the region and is also one of the oldest, having been placed under protection back in 1933.

Where does the name come from?

The protected area is made up of two separate parts, which together give the site its two-part name. The first, "U Báby," lies closer to Žihle and contains two massive granite boulders known as Bába and Dědek (meaning "Grandmother" and "Grandfather"). The second part, "U Lomu," sits roughly a kilometre further west and consists of a cluster of smaller rock blocks that together resemble a miniature rock town.

How were the boulders formed?

These enormous granite blocks are the result of mechanical weathering, specifically a process called exfoliation, in which successive layers of rock peel away under the influence of temperature and moisture changes. The parent rock is coarse-grained biotite granite belonging to the Tis massif, which rises above the neighbouring depression known as the Žihelská brázda, filled with soft Permian-Carboniferous sediments. It was precisely this difference in resistance to erosion that allowed the harder granite to survive as massive boulders, while the softer surrounding layers weathered and washed away far more quickly. The outcome is a set of geomorphological features typical of this kind of granite weathering, ranging from single giant blocks to entire fields of rock debris.

What is there to see on site?

The main attraction is the pair of monumental boulders, Bába and Dědek, in the "U Báby" section — their sheer size and distinctive rounded shape leave an impression even on visitors with no particular interest in geology. The "U Lomu" section, meanwhile, offers a cluster of smaller rocks well worth walking around to appreciate the variety of forms produced by the same weathering process. The site has an intimate, low-key character; there is no extensive tourist infrastructure here, which many visitors consider an advantage, since it lets them enjoy the silence and the natural landscape undisturbed.

How to get there

The reserve lies roughly 1.5–2 km northwest of the centre of Žihle, in a quiet rural corner of the Plzeň-sever district. The most convenient way to reach it is on foot or by bike, along local roads and paths connecting Žihle with Nový Dvůr — the route passes through picturesque farmland and woodland typical of western Bohemia.

Why visit?

This is a spot for geology enthusiasts, nature photographers, and anyone looking for a quiet walk away from the crowds. The Bába and Dědek boulders have drawn the attention of locals for decades, and the fact that the site received protected status as early as the 1930s shows just how long ago its scientific and scenic value was recognised.

Frequently asked questions

What is U Báby – U Lomu? It is a small nature monument comprising two separate clusters of granite boulders near the village of Žihle, protected for their unique geological formations.

Where do the boulders come from? They formed through exfoliation weathering of coarse-grained biotite granite from the Tis massif, while the softer surrounding rock eroded away much faster.

When was the area protected? The reserve was established in 1933, making it one of the oldest protected areas in the region.

How large is the protected area? It is very small in extent, consisting of two separate plots roughly a kilometre apart — "U Báby" and "U Lomu."