Aksamitova brána, Natural arch in Český kras, Czech Republic.
Aksamitova brána is a natural limestone archway in the Český kras landscape and stands as the largest arch formation in this protected area. The opening was created through millions of years of water erosion dissolving the rock.
Originally this was a cave entrance, until its roof collapsed in the 19th century and sealed off the underground passages beneath it. This collapse transformed it into the open arch visible today.
The arch took its name from Jan Axamit, linking this geological feature to local identity through personal recognition. This naming reflects how communities mark their landscape through individuals who shaped its understanding.
The site is accessible via marked hiking trails starting from the Popovice area, with yellow trail markers guiding visitors through the route. The walk is moderate and follows natural pathways through the karst landscape.
Nearby on Kotýz hill sits a prehistoric Bronze Age settlement with evidence of Celtic worship of the Thracian goddess Kotys. This archaeological connection shows how different cultures inhabited this landscape across millennia.
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