About this place
U Staré Vápenice is a small but geologically and ecologically valuable nature monument in the municipality of Mokrá-Horákov, in the Brno-venkov district of Moravia. Covering 7.8 hectares, the protected area was designated in 2009 and is managed by the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK), regional office in Brno.
Where is U Staré Vápenice located?
The site lies on the Ochoz Plateau, part of the Drahany Highlands — a hilly region east of Brno known for its limestone outcrops and deep river valleys. The protected area covers part of the valley floor and the eastern slope of the southern stretch of the Říčka river valley, a small stream typical of this part of Moravia.
Why was this area protected?
The nature monument was established for two combined reasons: geomorphological and biological. Geomorphologically, its centerpiece is a limestone cliff rising above the stream valley — a relic of former quarrying activity that also gave the site its name ("Stará Vápenice" means "Old Limekiln"). Biologically, the reserve preserves well-conserved forest communities: beech-oak woodland alongside a scree/ravine forest growing on the steep, stony slopes, where the local microclimate supports rare plant species.
What kind of vegetation grows here?
The forest stand is dominated by European beech, sessile oak, and common hornbeam, forming a deciduous woodland typical of the Drahany Highlands. Scots pine and silver birch appear as admixture species, mostly on poorer, more sun-exposed sections of the slopes. Of particular conservation value are the mature, well-developed specimens of wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) — a species considered rare in the Czech Republic, whose healthy presence here is one of the main reasons the site was placed under protection.
What should visitors know before coming?
U Staré Vápenice is better suited to nature and geology enthusiasts than to visitors expecting a fully equipped tourist attraction — there are no extensive educational trails or built-up viewpoints. Its appeal lies in its intimate, quiet character: a secluded stream valley, exposed rock formations, and a forest that has largely retained its natural structure. It makes for a peaceful walk through the Drahany Highlands landscape, close to other natural attractions of the Moravian Karst region.
Frequently asked questions
How large is the U Staré Vápenice nature monument? The protected area covers 7.8 hectares.
When was the site placed under protection? It was designated a nature monument in 2009.
Which tree species are most common here? European beech, sessile oak, and common hornbeam dominate, with an admixture of Scots pine and silver birch, plus notable mature wild service trees.
Where does the reserve's name come from? The name refers to a former limekiln that once operated on the site, evidenced today by the exposed limestone cliff above the stream valley.
Who manages the nature monument? It is managed by the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic, regional branch in Brno.
In which geographic region is the reserve situated? On the Ochoz Plateau, part of the Drahany Highlands, within the Říčka river valley.
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