Rotava, Natural monument with columnar basalt formations in Rotava, Czech Republic.
Rotava is a natural monument in the Czech Republic featuring distinctive columnar basalt formations that rise vertically from the ground. These stone pillars were created when lava cooled slowly and evenly after ancient volcanic eruptions in the region.
The site gained official protection status in 1978, building on earlier conservation work that started in the 1950s. This designation ensured the preservation of this geologically significant location for future generations.
The natural monument serves as an educational resource for geology students and researchers studying volcanic rock formations in Central Europe.
The site is accessible via marked walking trails and can be visited throughout the year. Morning hours offer the best lighting conditions to clearly see the structure and patterns of the basalt columns.
The basalt columns display naturally formed hexagonal patterns that become visible upon close inspection, revealing how evenly the lava cooled. This geometric arrangement is created by natural physical processes and offers a window into ancient volcanic activity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
