Zlatnice

Zlatnice is a small but strikingly scenic nature reserve set on a rocky promontory in Prague, above the right bank of the Šárka stream in the Horní Šárka locality. Covering just over 3 hectares of steep, sun-exposed ground, it forms part of the Šárka-Lysolaje Natural Park. The reserve takes its name from the nearby baroque settlement Zlatnice, founded in the 17th century by goldsmith Gabriel Geltenhauer, who merged several small vineyards on the site into a single estate.

Why was this site protected?

Zlatnice was declared a protected area on 29 April 1968, when the National Committee of the City of Prague designated it a protected natural monument. The reason for protection was a rocky ridge covered in heathland, home to several legally protected plant species, together with the site's value as a distinctive landscape feature visible from the Šárka valley below.

What does the reserve look like today?

The landscape of Zlatnice has changed considerably since protection was established. The heathland, which at the time of designation covered a large part of the rocky ridge, has now nearly completely overgrown and given way to shrub communities. The heather shrubs aged over time and have mostly died off — a typical pattern of ecological succession on formerly open terrain left without regular management intervention. Despite this shift, the site has retained its character as a rocky spur with pronounced relief, rising above the course of the Šárka stream.

What plant species grow at Zlatnice?

The rocky, sun-facing ground favors heat-loving and xerothermic species typical of Prague's slopes above river valleys. Plants recorded within the reserve include field maple (Acer campestre), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), and cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) — species characteristic of dry, sunny slopes and xerothermic grasslands found throughout the Šárka area.

Where exactly is Zlatnice located?

The reserve lies to the west/northwest of the Haunspalka public transport stop, in Horní Šárka, part of Prague's Šárka-Lysolaje district. It occupies a sloping stretch of terrain on the right bank of the Šárka stream, forming part of a broader network of protected sites in the Šárka valley, known for its rocky outcrops and xerothermic grasslands.

Is Zlatnice connected to other protected areas nearby?

Yes — the reserve belongs to the larger Šárka-Lysolaje Natural Park, which encompasses the Divoká Šárka valley and neighboring protected sites such as Dolní Šárka. Together, this network forms one of Prague's most significant natural areas, linking rocky spurs, stream valleys, and xerothermic grasslands into a connected system that is important both for the conservation of rare plant species and for city residents seeking contact with nature close to the center.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name Zlatnice come from? It comes from the nearby baroque settlement Zlatnice, founded in the 17th century by the goldsmith (Czech: zlatník) Gabriel Geltenhauer.

When was Zlatnice granted protected status? On 29 April 1968, by decision of the National Committee of the City of Prague.

How large is the reserve? Just over 3 hectares (3.27 ha).

What is the main current threat to the site's conservation value? The overgrowth of the former heathland by shrub communities, which reduces space for the light-demanding species the reserve was originally established to protect.