Častava

Částava is a small but ecologically valuable protected site (nature monument) lying just south of the village of Horka nad Moravou, in a part of the village known as Sedlisko, in the Olomouc district of the Czech Republic. Covering just over 7 hectares, it forms part of the network of small-scale protected areas within the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, established in 1990 and stretching across roughly 96 km² of the Morava river valley north of Olomouc.

What can you find at Částava?

The heart of the site is what remains of an old, meandering branch of the small Cholinka stream, locally known as Lešák. Today it no longer carries an active current — instead, it consists of slow-moving, largely still water fed by an inflow from the Podbradský pond. This surviving fragment of wetland landscape, tucked into the otherwise intensively farmed Haná plain, is exactly what gives the area its conservation value.

Why was this site protected?

Částava is one of the few remaining examples of preserved wetland in a region dominated by dense agricultural use. The wet meadows, reed beds, and aquatic vegetation growing along the old riverbed create a habitat well suited to wetland and aquatic species, from invertebrates to amphibians and water-associated birds. It is precisely this richness of wetland and aquatic plant and animal life, combined with the overall quality of the environment, that led to the site being placed under protection as part of the small-scale nature reserve system of Litovelské Pomoraví.

How do you get to Částava?

The reserve sits right at the southern edge of the built-up part of Horka nad Moravou, in the area known as Sedlisko — one of two ponds in this part of the village actually falls within the protected boundary. Horka nad Moravou itself lies about 5 km north of Olomouc, making the area easy to reach both for locals and for visitors exploring the wider Morava river valley.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Částava is just one of many small but ecologically significant protected sites within the Litovelské Pomoraví area. In and around Horka nad Moravou, there are further nature spots tied to the Morava river valley and its characteristic oxbow lakes, making the surrounding countryside a rewarding destination for anyone interested in nature walks and observing wetland ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions

What is Částava? It is a nature monument covering just over 7 hectares, protecting the remnant of an old branch of the Cholinka stream along with its associated wetland and aquatic vegetation.

Where exactly is it located? South of the village of Horka nad Moravou, in the area called Sedlisko, about 5 km north of Olomouc, within the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area.

Why is it worth a visit? It preserves a rare example of intact wetland habitat within the otherwise intensively farmed Haná plain, making it a valuable spot for observing wetland plants and wildlife.

Is Částava part of a larger protected area? Yes, it belongs to the network of small-scale nature reserves within the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, established in 1990.