For most of us, the words “Moravian Karst” mean, first and foremost, its unique stalactite caves. In fact, this is an extensive complex of unique natural phenomena spread out over an area of 92 km2. The Moravian Karst can be divided into three parts – the north, drained by the River Punkva; the centre, in the catchment basin of the Křtiny Stream; and the south, belonging to the catchment basin of the Říčka. Only five of the total number of 1,100 recorded caves, found in the north of the karst, are open to the public. The others remain secret to the public. Entry to these caves is prohibited, both to protect the rare stalactite and stalagmite formations from undisciplined visitors and, most importantly, for safety reasons. The more adventurous and curious visitors are recommended to visit some of the dry caves, generally well-lit with natural daylight, that can be explored without risk, for example Pekárna, Kostelík, Jáchymka, Kůlnička, Kolíbky in Rudice, etc.

The dominant feature of the central part of the Moravian Karst is the Rudice Sink, where the waters of the Jedovnice Stream disappear beneath ground before emerging to the surface again after a twelve-kilometre journey through the mysterious subterranean world at Býčí Skála in Josefov, where the famous bronze statue of a bull was found. The typical karst canyons of Pustý Žleb and Suchý Žleb (Desolate Glen and Dry Glen), the Bílá Voda (White Water) Depression and, in particular, the Amateur Caves, which are not open to the public, are also remarkable.

The great abundance and wide range of karst formations and the rare fauna and flora here are provided with strict protection. This, the largest and most highly developed karst area in the Czech Republic, was declared a protected landscape area in 1956. The most valuable localities are offered additional protection in fourteen nature reserves that are home to numerous unique examples of living and mineral nature. The bottom of the Macocha Gorge, for example, is the only place in the country where the rare flower Alpine bells (Cortusa matthioli) grows. The subterranean karst is the winter home of bats – typical representatives of cave fauna.