Betlém (natural heritage site)

Betlém is a protected natural heritage site on the shore of the middle Věstonice reservoir, one of the Novomlýnské nádrže (New Mills Reservoirs), roughly 2.5 km south of the village of Ivaň, within the municipality of Pasohlávky in the Brno-venkov district of South Moravia. The protected area covers 10.87 hectares and has held protected status since 1990.

How did this site come to be?

Betlém originated as a gravel pit, excavated to supply material for building the dams of the Novomlýnské reservoirs. Once extraction ended, the abandoned pit gradually filled with water and vegetation, evolving into an extensive wetland at the bottom of the former workings. This natural process of ecological succession is what gave the site its present-day conservation value and led to its official protection.

What kind of landscape is it?

The site is a broad wetland complex combining marshland, reedbeds, and patches of floodplain forest typical of the Jihlava River valley. Protection was established specifically to preserve these marsh and riparian forest communities. The proximity to open water, combined with a mosaic of habitats ranging from reedbeds to wooded patches, creates conditions that support a notably rich and varied range of wildlife.

What species live here?

Betlém functions as an important nesting site for wetland birds and a favorable breeding habitat for amphibians. Species recorded here include the common kingfisher, the spined loach, the fire-bellied toad, the European pond turtle, the bearded reedling, the purple heron, the Eurasian bittern, and the harvest mouse. The presence of such a diverse group — spanning birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals — underlines the site's role as a biodiversity refuge in a region heavily reshaped by reservoir construction.

How can visitors explore Betlém?

A blue-marked hiking trail runs around the protected area, connecting the village of Pouzdřany with the Merkur recreational area. This makes it possible to visit Betlém as part of a longer walk along the shores of the Novomlýnské reservoirs, which are themselves a popular recreational region in South Moravia, offering nearby beaches, holiday resorts, and water sports facilities.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Betlém located? On the shore of the middle Věstonice reservoir, about 2.5 km south of Ivaň, within the municipality of Pasohlávky in the Brno-venkov district.

How large is the protected area? It covers 10.87 hectares and has been protected since 1990.

Why is this site ecologically significant? Because it developed through natural succession on the site of a former gravel pit and now serves as an important breeding ground for wetland birds and amphibians, preserving marsh and floodplain forest habitats typical of the Jihlava valley.

Can it be reached on foot? Yes, a blue-marked trail runs around the area, linking Pouzdřany with the Merkur recreational area.

What wildlife is worth watching for? Wetland birds such as the kingfisher, bittern, and purple heron, along with amphibians and reptiles including the European pond turtle.