Grun

Grun is a small natural monument (přírodní památka) located within the cadastral territory of the village of Lopeník, right in the heart of the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Bílé Karpaty). Despite covering just 3.4562 hectares, it ranks among the most valuable flower meadows in this part of Moravia. Legal protection was granted by a decree of the District Office in Uherské Hradiště on 1 August 1991.

Where exactly is Grun located?

The site stretches along the left bank of a stream that drains the northern slopes of Malý Lopeník and flows into the Hrubár brook. This position — at the foot of one of the White Carpathians' peaks, close to the Czech-Slovak border — has helped preserve a microclimate typical of the region, favorable to rare meadow vegetation.

What is being protected here?

The subject of protection is a flower-rich meadow together with an old orchard, home to numerous endangered plant species, orchids above all. The White Carpathians are known across Central Europe for hosting some of the richest orchid meadows on the continent, and Grun is one of the sites that contributes to that reputation.

Which orchid species grow at Grun?

The meadow supports several notable species, including:

• broad-leaved marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis)
• elder-flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina)
• fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea)
• lesser butterfly orchid (Platanthera bifolia)
• globe orchid (Traunsteinera globosa)

This diversity of orchid species is the result of centuries-old, traditional management of the meadow — regular mowing and grazing that keep the land open and prevent it from being overtaken by shrubs or reeds.

Why does the old orchard matter?

The presence of an old orchard within the protected site is no coincidence — it reflects a landscape pattern typical of the Moravian Kopanice region, where small farmsteads have long combined fruit growing with extensive grazing. The old, tall-stemmed fruit trees add another layer of biodiversity, providing shelter for insects and birds while standing as evidence of how this land was traditionally farmed.

How does Grun fit into the wider White Carpathians landscape?

Grun is part of a broader mosaic of small protected meadows and reserves scattered throughout the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area, which has already marked its fortieth anniversary and is symbolized by the lady's slipper orchid. These small-scale specially protected areas play a key role in preserving the region's genetic and species diversity, while also bearing witness to the traditional, extensive agriculture of the Kopanice villages.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Grun natural monument established? It was declared on 1 August 1991 by decree of the District Office in Uherské Hradiště.

How large is the protected area? The site covers 3.4562 hectares.

What is the main subject of protection? A flower-rich meadow with an old orchard, home to several endangered species, including multiple orchid species.

Where exactly is Grun situated? On the left bank of a stream draining the northern slopes of Malý Lopeník, within the cadastral territory of Lopeník, inside the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area.

Can visitors see rare plants there? Yes — the site is known for several orchid species, including the broad-leaved marsh orchid, elder-flowered orchid, and lesser butterfly orchid.