Divoká Šárka, Nature reserve in Prague 6, Czech Republic
Divoká Šárka is a protected natural area in Prague 6, marked by deep valleys where Šárka stream cuts between exposed cliffs made of dark lydite rock. Vegetation shifts from open meadows to forested slopes and rocky outcrops, creating a landscape that changes character as you move through its different sections.
Between the 7th and 9th centuries, a fortified Slavic settlement covering twenty hectares stood above the Džbán gorge and served as a center of regional power. This early occupation shows how people used the area long before modern city development reached its edges.
This gorge draws its name from a warrior woman who, according to old Czech tales, threw herself from these cliffs after betraying a companion named Ctirad. The legend gives the valley a special place in local storytelling and connects the landscape to older traditions still remembered by people who visit today.
The protected area offers several walking paths that wind through different sections of the terrain, along with a public pool and the Džbán water reservoir. Reaching the site by tram from the city center takes less than half an hour, and different entry points let you choose routes based on how far you want to walk.
The black woodpecker has its closest nesting area to Prague here, living among the varied forest landscapes and rock formations throughout the reserve. This rare bird finds enough dead wood and older trees in the quieter forest sections to carve out its breeding cavities.
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