About this place
Černovický hájek is a small but distinctive patch of nature on the southern edge of Brno — the last surviving remnant of alluvial forest within the city limits. The protected area covers roughly 12 hectares and stretches along the upper course of the Černovický stream, about a kilometer south of the Staré Černovice district.
What is this place?
Locally also known as Paradajz, the site has been under protection since 1977. For decades it existed as an independent nature reserve, but as of May 1, 2024, its territory was folded into a newly declared natural monument called Ráječek. The change in formal status doesn't diminish the ecological value of the area — it remains one of the last fragments of natural alluvial forest in the greater Brno region.
Why does this habitat matter?
Alluvial forest is an ecosystem tightly bound to water — periodically flooded, damp, and favorable to wetland and moisture-loving vegetation. That's exactly the character of Černovický hájek: its marshy patches and waterlogged depressions create habitat for species that have increasingly little room left in heavily urbanized Brno. Waterbirds and species tied to stream banks are especially notable here, using the area as shelter and feeding ground.
How to get there and what's nearby?
Černovický hájek sits right next to a highway and the railway line connecting Chrlice with Brno, which makes it easy to reach despite its modest size. A popular way to get there from the city center is by bike, following a cycle path along the Svitava river — a pleasant alternative to driving.
The location's coordinates are approximately 49.1647 N, 16.6461 E, placing the reserve on the south-eastern outskirts of the Brno metropolitan area.
Who is this place for?
It's a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in urban nature and curious to see how a fragment of a natural ecosystem can survive within a large city. A walk or bike ride around Černovický hájek is also a good opportunity for birdwatching and a quiet break from the city, even with roads and railway tracks close by.
Frequently asked questions
Is Černovický hájek still a separate nature reserve? Not formally — since May 2024 the area has been part of the Ráječek natural monument, though the name Černovický hájek is still used for this specific stretch of land.
How large is the area? About 12 hectares.
What's the best way to reach it from central Brno? Cycling is a convenient option, following a bike path along the Svitava river.
What can visitors see there? Remnants of alluvial forest, wetlands and moisture-loving plant habitats, and birdlife associated with the stream.
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