The Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area

The list of superlative places in the Moravian Karst is probably endless. Tourists usually go to the Punkva Caves when they visit the area for the first time. But if you come here every summer, you have something to keep you busy for many years.

The Moravian Karst is the best-known and best-developed karst area in the Czech Republic. If you go north of Brno, you will arrive in the territory of one thousand and one hundred caves (so many of them have been officially discovered so far, but the number is probably not final). You can visit five of them. If you do not manage to get tickets for the Punkva Caves or if you do not like crowds, just head for one of the other caves. All of them are a natural treasure!

• The Punkva Caves (Punkevní Jeskyně) are the local top star. Their dry part leads through dripstone spaces to the bottom of the world-class Macocha Abyss and then the wet part of the journey – by motorboat on the underground Punkva River – takes you back. A visit here is a real experience, from seeing the first dripstone to getting out of the boats at the end. The guides often make jokes and kids will love the tour.

• The Catherine Cave (Kateřinská Jeskyně) consists of an old part with the Main Dome, the largest cave space in the Czech Republic accessible to the public, and a new part with a unique dripstone cluster, the Bamboo Forest, and a formation called “the Witch”.

• The Balcarka Cave (Jeskyně Balcarka) will surprise you with the variety of its dripstone decoration on quite a small area. The extraordinary number of dripstones, numerous archaeological and paleontological findings and the picturesque landscape make Balcarka one of the best places in the Moravian Karst.

• The Sloup-Šošůvka Caves (Sloupsko-Šošůvské Jeskyně) are the largest caves in the Czech Republic accessible to the public. In addition to the corridors and domes with dripstone decoration, you can also look into a really deep abyss. The two tours also include the world-important Kůlna archaeological site.

• The Výpustek Cave (Jeskyně Výpustek) has a turbulent history. This maze of corridors and abysses known since time immemorial was one of the largest in Moravia. It was closed to the public later and used as an underground factory and a military base. The visit route also includes an unusual tour of the formerly highly classified underground army anti-nuclear shelter 

You should also visit the Moravian Karst House of Nature, a visitor centre near the Skalní Mlýn hotel. They can recommend interesting and well-known sights as well as secret places and help you with individual planning of your stay and your trips.