Prokop valley, Nature reserve and paleontological site in Prague 5, Czech Republic.
Prokop valley is a nature reserve and paleontological site in Prague 5 that spans approximately 170 hectares of limestone terrain dotted with caves, streams, and steep cliffs. Located in southwestern Prague near the districts of Barrandov and Hlubočepy, the reserve features a geologically diverse landscape shaped by natural erosion over millennia.
The valley contains evidence of Stone Age settlements, with archaeological findings pointing to the Řivnáč culture dating back to around 3000 BC on the Butovice plateau. The caves later became home to a hermit and gained spiritual significance in the region's early medieval development.
The valley takes its name from Saint Prokop, a hermit who lived in one of the caves during the 11th century and became connected to the founding of Sázava monastery. The spiritual connection to this early religious history remains visible in how the place has been remembered and respected over centuries.
The reserve is accessible via Hlubočepy railway station or through a walk of about 1.2 kilometers from the tram stop. Marked hiking trails guide visitors through the valley, allowing exploration of the caves and varied landscapes at your own pace.
The limestone caves of the valley have preserved ice age remains including mammoth and cave bear bones as well as human skulls. These fossils offer rare glimpses into ancient life and the environment of this region long before permanent human settlement.
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