Dolní vinohrádky

Dolní vinohrádky — a small nature reserve in Moravia

Dolní vinohrádky is a compact yet notable protected area located southeast of Domamyslice, a district of Prostějov in the Czech region of Moravia. The reserve sits on the slopes of the Záhoří massif, a ridge that stretches roughly 5 kilometers south from the village of Mostkovice all the way to Alojzov. Its coordinates are approximately 49.4529N, 17.0561E.

When was this protected area established?

The site was declared a natural monument (přírodní památka) back in 1952, making it one of the older nature-protection designations in this part of Moravia. The decision to protect the land was driven by the desire to preserve the distinctive, heat-loving vegetation growing on the sun-exposed slopes of the ridge — a rare habitat type for the wider region.

How large is the reserve?

The protected area is quite small, covering only about 0.38 hectares. Despite its modest size, it serves as an important refuge for plant species adapted to the dry, warm, and sun-drenched conditions found on the southern slopes of Záhoří.

What can visitors see here?

The original purpose of the protection was to safeguard thermophilic flora — plants that thrive in warmth and abundant sunlight, typical of steppe-like and xerothermic plant communities. Species historically associated with the site include dwarf cherry (also known as ground cherry or shrub cherry), cross gentian, and, in the past, spurge-laurel — plants characteristic of warm, sunny sites on limestone or similar substrate.

It is worth noting that the landscape of the reserve has changed considerably over the decades. Part of the originally open terrain has become overgrown with dense, hard-to-penetrate shrub thickets, reducing the space available for light-demanding steppe plants. A former vineyard adjacent to the reserve was at some point converted into a cultivated field, while an old orchard in the southern part of the area has been left without human management — today it develops purely according to natural processes, with no active maintenance.

Is it worth a visit?

Despite the changes the landscape has undergone, Dolní vinohrádky remains a place of considerable natural and scenic value. It preserves a fragment of authentic Moravian countryside scenery and remains freely accessible to visitors. The site is well suited to a quiet walk for those interested in xerothermic flora and the history of local nature conservation, though it lacks developed tourist infrastructure — this is an intimate spot, visited mainly by nature enthusiasts and amateur botanists.

Where exactly is it located?

The reserve lies within the municipality of Prostějov, directly adjacent to the Domamyslice district, on the slopes of the Záhoří hill. It is easily reachable from the center of Prostějov, making it a convenient destination for a short outing for anyone looking to experience nature close to the city.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dolní vinohrádky a large reserve? No — it is one of the smaller protected areas in the region, covering only about 0.38 hectares.

Since when has the area been protected? The site has held nature-protection status since 1952.

What plants can be found here? Species associated with the site include dwarf cherry and cross gentian, typical of heat-loving plant communities.

Is the area open to the public? Yes, the reserve is freely accessible to visitors, though it does not offer developed tourist facilities.