Pravcice Gate has been standing in its location since time immemorial. It is the result of millions of years of weathering of the less resistant parts of the rock mass, which consists of ashlar sandstone from the Turonian age.

As tourists first began to discover the beauties of Pravcice Gate, a small bark-covered cabin stood at its foot and was used as a pub. The access path, known as Pelagiensteig, from the village of Hrensko was already paved by the end of the 1870s, and around that time the promenade trail towards Mezni Louka was also built.

In 1881, the owner of the estate, Duke Edmund Clary-Aldringen, built the built Sokoli hnizdo (Falcon’s Nest), a holiday château at Pravcice Gate. For this purpose, he invited workmen from Italy for the simple reason that they were the cheapest labour at the time. The whole château was built within one year, which is almost record time when one takes into consideration the size of the structure and the period in which it was built. Several years later, guardrails were installed on the cliff lookouts dotted throughout the surroundings. Soon after the restaurant was built, an entrance fee was introduced.

Pravcice Gate is the largest natural rock gate on the European continent and a national nature monument. It is considered to be the most beautiful natural formation in Bohemian Switzerland and is the symbol of the entire area.

Landscaped trails and staircases run from the entrance to the individual lookouts in the area, from which visitors can observe Pravcice Gate itself or enjoy the spectacular views of the surroundings both nearby and farther afield.

Since its “discovery” by tourists, Pravcice Gate has been visited regularly by millions of people. One of the many well-known personalities who admired its beauties – twice, in 1831 and 1851 – was the famous fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen. It is undoubtedly clear that he drew a lot of inspiration for his work from this place.

For more information about the Usti Region where this place is located click here.