Zkamenělý zámek

Zkamenělý zámek ("Petrified Castle") is a small but striking nature reserve formed by a rock outcrop located at roughly 768 metres above sea level, on a ridge slope within the Borovský les geomorphological district. It sits in the cadastral area of Česká Cikánka, within the town of Svratka, in the Žďár nad Sázavou district of the Vysočina Region, right in the heart of the Žďárské vrchy highlands.

What do the rocks look like?

The rock blocks that make up Zkamenělý zámek rise up to 10 metres and are arranged in a distinctive horseshoe shape, enclosing an open interior space measuring roughly 40 by 16 metres, reached through a natural passage between the boulders. The rock itself is gneiss, formed on a band of coarse-grained two-mica orthogneiss belonging to the Svratka crystalline complex. The jagged, sculptural shapes visible today are the result of frost weathering that shaped the blocks back in the older Quaternary period.

A site with archaeological history

Beyond its geological interest, the location carries archaeological weight. Research has confirmed that the area was settled as far back as the Neolithic period, and remnants of the ramparts and ditches of a former Neolithic hillfort are still visible around the rocks. Slavic tribes inhabited the site between the 6th and 8th centuries, and a wooden stronghold is believed to have stood here in the 13th century — which is likely where the name "zámek" (castle) originates, even though no trace of any structure remains today.

Protection status and visiting rules

The site has been protected as a nature reserve since 1977 and currently covers an area of 3.06 hectares. Because of its natural and archaeological value, specific rules apply to visitors: access is only permitted along marked tourist trails. Rock climbing is allowed exclusively between 1 July and 31 December, a restriction designed to protect birds nesting in the rocks during the rest of the year.

Getting there

Zkamenělý zámek lies close to the small town of Svratka, a well-known base for exploring the Žďárské vrchy highlands. The surrounding area has a dense network of hiking and cycling trails, making it easy to combine a visit to this unusual rock formation with a longer trip around the region.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb at Zkamenělý zámek? Yes, but only between 1 July and 31 December — climbing is prohibited during the rest of the year to protect nesting birds.

Where does the name "Zkamenělý zámek" come from? The name refers to a wooden stronghold believed to have stood on the site in the 13th century. No physical trace of any building survives today — only the rocks and the remains of old earthworks.

How large is the nature reserve? The protected area covers 3.06 hectares, and the rock formation itself reaches up to 10 metres in height.

Does the site have archaeological significance? Yes. Research has confirmed traces of Neolithic settlement as well as Slavic presence from the 6th to 8th centuries, and remnants of ramparts and ditches remain visible around the rocks.