Do you notice the hill before us called Zabitý kopec? Its name translates to “Killed Hill”. This place holds secrets of Prague’s defense history. Zabitý kopec reaches 264 meters above sea level. It stands on Prague’s northern edge. The hill is near Miškovice about half a kilometer east.
Between 1973 and 1994, Zabitý kopec served a crucial role. It was a base for Prague’s anti-aircraft missile defense. The base was equipped with Soviet S-125 Neva missiles. These missiles guarded the city from aerial threats. Imagine the tension during the Cold War. This hill was a key part of Prague’s protection.
Zabitý kopec is part of a specific geomorphological classification. It belongs to the Středolabská tabule. This further divides into the Českobrodská tabule. Then it narrows to the Kojetická pahorkatina. Finally it is part of the Přezletická tabule. Remarkably it is the highest point within this podokrsek.
Today Zabitý kopec appears peaceful. But beneath the surface lie remnants of its military past. After 1994 the military vacated the area. Nature slowly reclaims the land. However traces of the base still exist.
Some structures remain partially hidden. These include a partially covered structure. It once housed the antenna section. This antenna guided the radar on the command facility’s ceiling. The base is now more camouflaged than it was 40 years ago.
If you explore carefully you might spot subtle signs. These signs hint at the soldiers who once served here. Buried under new soil are the remains of a military area. Side entrances to the main command facility’s filter room can still be found. Halls within this facility are nearly filled with earth.
Access roads once branched across the base. Without these roads, the layout would be hard to recognize. Nature mixes with the man-made structures. Roots intertwine with camouflage nets. Artifacts from the past are scattered around the fortified trenches.
The name Zabitý kopec may also hint to the dead animals found in the area. While moving around the area, some people found dead animals. Dogs, hares and foxes were found there. This is according to reports more dead animals than seen on other trips.
As we leave Zabitý kopec remember its dual nature. It is a place of natural beauty and a former military stronghold. The hill protected Prague during uncertain times. Now it stands as a reminder of a bygone era. It shows how nature adapts and reclaims what was once built for war.