The Prokop Valley is a gift of nature to the inhabitants of Prague, who have the opportunity to find themselves in a reserved place without leaving the city. You can choose a vacation to taste: there are thickets of trees, steep cliffs, water streams, a lake with swans and ducks.
There are hiking trails in the valley, but you can walk along winding paths on your own. And you can move around not by foot, but by bicycle. There is a track for lovers of cycling, route A12.
A green oasis inside the city is also suitable for lovers of passive relaxation. Comfortable benches, equipped picnic areas and barbecue facilities are at their disposal. All this is near the children's town, with a set of slides and rocking chairs.
What was here before?
The Prokop Valley Reserve is located between the districts of Prague Jinonice and Zlichov. It's hard to call it a valley, rather a picturesque hilly area. She lies on both sides of the ravine. Here the waters of two streams join. One of them is Daleic, and the second is the namesake of the area.
Thanks to excavations conducted by archaeologists in these places, much has become known about the protected area. Her story goes deep into the distant ages. These places were inhabited in prehistoric times. In the caves traces of distant human activity, the remains of wild animals were found.
The French archaeologist, who has studied these lands for many years and has made a huge contribution to the archaeological research of the area, is immortalized by the grateful inhabitants of Prague. One of the city’s bridges, microdistrict and film studio is named after Joachim Barrand.
Lime Caves
The Prokop valley in the Czech Republic is part of the Czech karst, limestone was previously mined here. Industrial development began in 1820. Since then, there have been many quarries and caves that give the rocks an exotic look. Now they, of course, are abandoned, although experts say that there are minerals in the reserve.
During World War II, the number of caves here increased dramatically. Underground facilities were built that were used as military installations. In particular, the workshops of the German Junkers factory were located in such underground rooms. These objects were inherited by the Czech army. They are guarded, and tourists can only imagine what is there today.
Rev. Procopius of Sazava
The elder's cave was discovered by chance, during the extraction of limestone in the Royal quarry in 1875. Its length was 120 meters.
There is a legend that tells how once Prince Oldřich in pursuit of a deer rode to the cave, where he found Elder Prokop. He led an ascetic, reclusive lifestyle, but did not refuse to help the prince. He gave Oldrich a bucket of water, which turned into wine, quenched his thirst and added strength. In gratitude, the prince founded the Sazavsky monastery here, and Prokop made him an abbot. The holy elder patronizes the workers of peasant and mining labor.
Among the monks there lives a legend according to which St. Prokop in his cave entered into a battle with the devil himself, defeated him, harnessed him to a plow and plowed a deep ravine.
Cross over the Prokop Valley
When developing a quarry in 1966, the church that stood here was destroyed. It was built in honor of the elder Prokop on the orders of Adam Schwarzenberg at the beginning of the VIII century, near the cave. These shrines were especially revered by the locals in the 19th century.
The installation of the cross on the site of the destroyed church was timed to coincide with the 950th anniversary of the death of Prokop. And he died in 1053 at the age of 83 in the Sazavsky monastery.
The lake among the rocks
There is also a man-made lake. The quarry formed at the site of development of calcareous formations was filled with water, and a picturesque reservoir was obtained. It happened in 1905-1912. Its dimensions are very impressive: 107 by 26 meters. Depth reaches 3.5 meters. Visitors will learn about this, and much more, from information stands located in the iconic places of the Prokop Valley.
They called the Jeserko Pond. They say there is a perch here. And he was chosen by ducks, swans and ... filmmakers. The famous Prague film studio named after Barrand, which is located nearby, sometimes uses picturesque nature in its work.
Prague Semmering
There is a railway line in the Prokop Valley. It was built in the second half of the 19th century and was named after the Austrian railway because of its great external similarity. Its length is only 8 kilometers, but from the Smizovsky station to the final stop Gostivice, the rails on individual sections of the track climb to a height of 180 meters.
In order for the road to cross the Glubokhepsky valley and the Daleysky stream, two viaducts were built. The first of them, longer and higher, has dimensions of 115 and 25 meters, respectively. The bridge consists of seven arches, curving itself in an arc. This is the so-called lower viaduct. As for the top, it has five arches and dimensions: 92 by 20 meters.
In the 70s of the XX century, a plan was developed for the reconstruction of sememing.
According to him, the line was to become double-track and electric. But the plan remained the plan, and the railway began to be used less and less. However, during the flood of 2002, when the metro line “B” was flooded, the Prague zimmering rescued citizens. The old railway line took over part of the traffic load.
How to get to the Prokop Valley of Prague?
Three types of public transport will help. By metro, you can get to the Nove Butovice station.
Near the reserve Prokop Valley is a bus stop number 230. Exit should be on the "Klukowice". The tram stop is called the Barrand Clinic, where numbers 4, 5, 12 and 20 stop. And, of course, a taxi.