- Address: NS SOOS, 351 34 Skalná, Czech Republic
- Opening hours: 09: 00-16: 00
- Area: 221 hectares
In the Czech Republic, near the Františkovy Lázně, there is the natural reserve of Soos (Narodni prirodni rezervace Soos or Soos National Nature Reserve). It is famous for its unique landscape, with a large number of mineral springs, tiny lakes , lunar landscapes and marshy hills.
Description of the nature reserve
Initially, there was a salt lake on this place. For several centuries it has turned into a swamp. This happened after the deposition of a large number of diatomaceous earths - sedimentary mineral rocks. In the vicinity of the reservoir, kaolin was mined. Today, this is reminiscent of the ruins of mining and narrow gauge.
Soos was established in 1964, its territory covers an area of 221 hectares. Its name was given to the nature reserve by the German word Satz, which means the quagmire, the swamp, the swamp. This is an unusual place, which, with its landscapes, resembles an uninhabited land that existed millions of years ago.
What is Soos famous for?
In 2005, the reserve was included in the list of outstanding places in Europe. Soos is a large peat bog. Its landscape is covered with erosive furrows, as well as white and yellow coating formed by mineral salts.
Here is the only "boiling" swamp in Europe. The water in it is warm, its average temperature is +16 ° C. This effect creates large bubbles, formed by carbon dioxide. In mofetah (small craters) they quite noisily reach the surface, where they burst loudly. The most famous furnace is called Vera and the Imperial Spring. They include sulfate-carbonate-chloride acid, which contains an increased amount of arsenic and beryllium.
What to see in the reserve?
During the tour of the territory of Soos you will learn a lot of new and interesting. For example, you will see attractions such as:
- The youngest volcano of the Czech Republic, called Kamennaya Gorka;
- Rock formations covered with moss and dry trees;
- diatomite shield, which emerged from the shells of diatoms and is considered a European rarity. In the old days, these kelp grew on the bottom of a local pond, which eventually dried up. From the algae on the bottom of the lake was created flooring, called the ecological path. Its length is 1.2 km. Information plaques are provided on this route.
In the nature reserve, rare animals live and a variety of halophilic and marsh plants grow. In Soos, you can see a unique orchid - Three-Fledgled Ladony. Also attract the attention of visitors are various types of mollusks: bivalves and gastropods.
Museums and Expositions
On the territory of Soos there is a zoological station and 2 museums, in which tourists will get acquainted:
- with local flora and fauna;
- with the nature of the province of Cheb;
- with models of prehistoric animals.
There were mock-ups of huge pterodactyls and dinosaurs made in full size. They demonstrate the historical importance of local marshes. Also on the territory of Soos are large-format reproductions of paintings by Zdenek Burian.
Features of visit
You can only walk on the territory of the reserve. It works every day from 09:00 to 16:00. The ticket price is:
- $ 3.2 - for adults;
- $ 2.3 - for students and disabled people;
- $ 1.4 - for children over 6 years;
- $ 7.3 - for a family of 5 people.
How to get there?
From Františkovy Lázně, it is possible to reach Soos via roads Nos. 21, 21217 and 21312. The distance is about 10 km.