Komorní hůrka
The volcano near a famous spa
The Komorní Hůrka Nature Reserve lies in close proximity to the spa town of Františkovy Lázně. Komorní Hůrka is a relict of one of the youngest Bohemian volcanoes, which were still active at the beginning of the Quaternary Period. After having been documented in 1773 as an extinct volcano by the prominent natural scientist Ignaz von Born, it became a destination point for the visitors of Františkovy Lázně and for science experts as well.
Komorní Hůrka is an important cultural and historical locality, which was explored early in the 19th century by Count Caspar von Sternberk at the suggestion of Johann Wolfgang van Goethe.
Komorní Hůrka together with Železná Hůrka belong to the youngest Bohemian volcanoes, which formed between 100-500 thousand years ago. Its body is mostly composed of loose volcaniclastic deposits, which were exploited in the past for construction purposes and also used, among other things, for the maintenance of park paths in Františkovy Lázně. Today, the gravel pit is covered with grass giving it a crater-like appearance. It became a significant botanical site because of the presence of a unique warm and dry microclimate. Undoubtedly, the most well-known plant species here is the Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio), which is a critically endangered plant species in the Czech Republic.
