Can you feel the weight of history beneath your feet? Here at p\u0159\u00edrodn\u00ed pam\u00e1tka Cik\u00e1nka \u2161, nature and time have conspired to create something truly special.
This isn’t just a pretty spot. Cik\u00e1nka \u2161 tells a story millions of years in the making. Cik\u00e1nka \u2161 was declared a natural monument in 1988. It is located in Prague 5 in Radot\u00edn. The monument is split into two parts: Cik\u00e1nka I and Cik\u00e1nka II. They occupy 4.6 hectares together.
Let’s talk about Cik\u00e1nka II for a moment. It lies near the settlement of Cik\u00e1nka. Specifically, it’s in Prague 16, which is part of Radot\u00edn. This part has two sections within an old quarry. This quarry is part of the Slivenec quarries.
Imagine workers extracting slivenec marble here since the 13th century. The area lies 297 to 313 meters above sea level. The National Committee of Prague declared it a natural monument in 1988. This happened due to significant paleontological finds.
From a geological perspective, the quarries reveal transitions between rock layers. These are the Lochkov and Slivenec/Prague layers.
Slivenec marble, often pink, was a popular decorative stone. Knights of the Cross with a Red Star owned these quarries until 1923. The stone was widely used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Before humans changed it, Cik\u00e1nka \u2161 was likely covered in scrub forest-steppe. The most exposed parts had steppe communities.
Both Cik\u00e1nka I and II share woody plants. These plants overgrow the valley floor and slopes. Quarry walls host xerothermic grasses like Festucion valesiacae. Southern parts feature other xerothermic communities.
The fauna here is also noteworthy. You might find 41 species of ground beetles. Examples are Harpalus caspius roubali and Panagaeus bipustulatus. Mollusks like Granaria frumentum and Pupilla sterri also live here. Protected bombardier beetles like Brachinus explodens live here too. There are 802 species of butterflies including Hamearis lucina. Other species on the Red List include Hemaris tityus and Hyles euphorbiae.
Cik\u00e1nka \u2161 faces threats from encroaching woody plants. These plants overshadow valuable xerothermic grasslands. Current plans aim for minimal intervention. This includes occasional tree trimming near open quarry profiles. It includes removing debris from lower layers and creating an educational trail.
Cik\u00e1nka \u2161 is accessible via a path through Cik\u00e1nka I. Sadly, the red tourist trail is now closed. It once led from the Lomy bus stop.
As you leave Cik\u00e1nka \u2161 consider its importance. It is a window into the past. It is a haven for unique species. This small area tells a big story of geological history and ecological importance.