Habrov

Habrov is a nature reserve located about 3 km northeast of Chrudim, right along the northern edge of the village of Topol, in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. Covering 20.60 hectares, it ranks among the oldest protected areas in the country — its conservation status dates back to 1948, making Habrov one of the earliest state nature reserves established on the territory of today's Czech Republic. The boundaries and conservation objectives were formally revised and reissued in 1996 by the Chrudim District Authority.

What does the Habrov reserve protect?

At the core of the reserve lies an oak-hornbeam forest (dubohabřina) growing on a base of opuka limestone — a sedimentary rock typical of the wider Elbe lowland (Polabí) region. This bedrock supports a range of thermophilic (heat-loving) plant species that are otherwise uncommon in this part of Bohemia. The forest floor hosts species such as martagon lily (Lilium martagon), hollowroot (Corydalis cava), and wood anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa). The woodland is further diversified by meadow enclaves, shrubby forest edges, and pockets of wetland habitat, all of which add to the site's overall biodiversity.

Why is Habrov nationally significant?

The reserve is known for hosting an exceptionally rare crust fungus, Steccherinum dichroum. Habrov is the only known locality for this species in the entire Czech Republic, which alone makes it a site of national — not just local — conservation importance. The presence of such a rare organism points to the well-preserved, near-natural condition of the old-growth forest stands.

What else is notable in the area?

The southern part of the reserve contains a legally protected archaeological site: a prehistoric hillfort dating from the end of the Neolithic period. This gives Habrov a dual significance, combining ecological value with evidence of human settlement stretching back thousands of years.

The name Habrov derives directly from "habr," the Czech word for hornbeam, the dominant tree species in the local stands. The reserve sits in the quiet agricultural and forested landscape of the Chrudim area, only a short distance from the town of Chrudim itself, making it an accessible destination for a short nature outing for both locals and visitors interested in the lesser-known but valuable ecosystems of eastern Bohemia.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the Habrov reserve? The protected area covers 20.60 hectares.

Since when has Habrov been protected? It was granted protected status in 1948, with its boundaries and conservation focus updated in 1996.

What is the site's most notable natural feature? It is the only known Czech locality for the rare fungus Steccherinum dichroum, alongside a well-preserved oak-hornbeam forest on limestone bedrock.

Are there traces of ancient settlement in the reserve? Yes, the southern section contains a protected hillfort from the late Neolithic period.