Holásky lakes

Holásecká jezera (Holásky Lakes) is a protected natural monument on the western edge of the Holásky district in Brno, within the Brno-Tuřany municipal area. The site lies just south of the D1 motorway and covers a strictly protected core of 12.31 hectares, with the total area including its buffer zone reaching around 35 hectares. It is one of the few places in Brno where several distinct water bodies, surrounded by wetland and floodplain vegetation, sit so close together within a large city.

What are the Holásky Lakes?

The site originated as a chain of nine interconnected lakes formed by historic damming of local watercourses. Today seven separate water bodies remain, each with its own name: Kašpárkovo, Typfl, Kmuníčkovo, Roučkovo, Ledárenské, Plavecké and Strakovo. The lakes are fed mainly by groundwater and small streams, which keeps their water level relatively stable throughout the year. Reed beds, shrubby thickets and patches of floodplain forest surround the shorelines, a habitat type typical of river valleys in southern Moravia.

Why is the area protected?

The site was designated a natural monument for its distinctive landscape character and its ecological value. The lakes provide breeding habitat for amphibians, which find favorable conditions in the shallow, lightly fished sections of the water bodies. The reed beds and thickets around the shoreline also serve as nesting grounds for various waterbirds and other bird species tied to wetlands, and the whole complex functions as a refuge for small wildlife living right at the edge of a major city. Its proximity to Brno's built-up areas makes the reserve a notable example of wildlife coexisting with urban infrastructure.

What can visitors do around the lakes?

A cycling route runs along the southern boundary of the protected area, forming part of a longer trail that continues toward Austria. This makes Holásecká jezera a popular stop for cyclists looking for a quiet route away from busier city roads, as well as for Brno residents out for a short walk surrounded by greenery and water. Because of its protected status, the core of the site — its most valuable shoreline and aquatic sections — remains off-limits to intensive recreational use, preserving the calm conditions that nesting birds and amphibians need.

How to get to Holásecká jezera?

The area sits in the southeastern part of Brno, in the Tuřany district, close to the D1 motorway. This location is fairly easy to reach both from the city center and for travelers passing through Brno, making a short stop at the lakes a convenient addition to a longer journey through southern Moravia.

Frequently asked questions

How many lakes are there at Holásecká jezera? Historically the site consisted of nine interconnected lakes, of which seven distinct water bodies remain today.

How large is the protected area? The strictly protected core covers 12.31 hectares, while the whole complex including its buffer zone spans about 35 hectares.

Can you cycle around the lakes? Yes, a cycling route runs along the southern edge of the protected area and connects to a longer trail heading toward Austria.

Why are the Holásky Lakes protected? For their distinctive landscape value and their role in supporting amphibians and waterbirds, for which the lakes and surrounding reed beds serve as important breeding and shelter habitat.