The Macocha Gorge, located near the city of Brno, was long considered bottomless. Today its depth is established at 138 meters, and the bottom has been explored and opened to tourists. At the bottom, there is also a small river and a lake about 30 meters deep, where boats and vessels now operate.
Legends and History
The name of the gorge, translated as "stepmother," is linked to an ancient story. According to legend, a woman once pushed her stepson into the abyss and, realizing what she had done, jumped in after him. The boy survived, hanging onto the branches of a pine tree growing on the wall of Macocha. This tragic tale gave the famous natural site its name.
The first attempts to reach the bottom date back to the 18th century: in 1723, a local monk attempted a descent that was unsuccessful. It was only in 1856 that the bottom of Macocha was discovered, after which systematic exploration of the gorge began, and it gradually became popular among tourists.
Tourism and Modern Opportunities
Today, Macocha can be viewed from two specially equipped observation platforms or explored at the bottom of the gorge on foot and by boat. Despite its accessibility, many tourists feel a thrill when looking into the abyss, where mystical stories and legends of the Middle Ages once thrived.
