Stroll through history and view a wonder of nature: Šance and Megoňky
Why not take a trip along the Czech-Slovak border – see the historic Šance fortifications and marvel at the strange stone ‘balls’ in the Megoňky quarry.
Starting point: Na Šancích inn, blue marked path towards Velký Polom – after 700 m take the yellow marked path – Megoňky (Slovakia) – Milošová reservoir – Dejůvka – Stará Šance – green marked path back to the Czech Republic – Velká Šance – Na Šancích inn. Total 10 km.
In 1578, at the highest point on the Jablunkov pass, a fortress known as Stará Šance (‘Old Šance’) was built. It was a square-shaped structure with a moat and a palisade. In 1621 a new pentagonal bastion was built called, Velká Šance (‘Large Šance’).
The stone ‘balls’ at Megoňky protrude from the surrounding bedrock and are spherical or egg-shaped with a diameter up to 2.6 metres. They were discovered in 1988 during stone quarrying, and their origin remains unexplained.
Top tip: You can see a carved wooden model of the Šance fortresses at the Gorol Tourist Information Centre (GOTIC) in Mosty.