Horní Mrzatec

Horní Mrzatec is a small but ecologically valuable nature monument in the Vysočina (Bohemian-Moravian Highlands) region of the Czech Republic, near the village of Dobrá Voda. Despite covering only a few hectares, the site preserves habitats typical of seasonally drying ponds and wet meadows — a type of landscape that has become increasingly rare across the highlands.

What is Horní Mrzatec?

The nature monument lies in cadastral land associated with the area around Telč, in a landscape historically shaped by small water bodies and shallow depressions that fill and dry out with the seasons. These temporary wetlands, rather than permanent lakes or rivers, are the defining feature of the site and the reason it was placed under legal protection.

What wildlife lives here?

The reserve is best known for its amphibian population tied to these drying ponds. Among the species recorded here is the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), a small toad that produces loud, distinctive calls when disturbed and releases a compound with a strong garlic-like odor as a defense against predators. Its presence is a good indicator of habitat quality, since the species depends on shallow, sun-warmed, fish-free pools to breed — conditions that disappear quickly once wetlands are drained or altered.

Why was this site protected?

The protection status exists to safeguard this specific micro-habitat of drying ponds together with the plant and animal communities adapted to it. Such environments are highly sensitive to changes in the local water regime — drainage works, stream regulation, or intensified farming nearby can eliminate them within a short time. Legal protection in the Vysočina region was established to ensure this fragile ecosystem type continues to exist despite its small footprint.

How to get to Horní Mrzatec

The site sits in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands near the village of Dobrá Voda, in a quiet, sparsely populated part of the Vysočina region — an area of gently rolling farmland, forest patches, and scattered farmsteads typical of rural Czechia. Because the protected area centers on a delicate wetland habitat, visitors are encouraged to stick to marked paths and avoid entering the drying pond zones directly, especially during the amphibians' spring breeding season.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Horní Mrzatec nature monument? It is a small protected area in the Vysočina region consisting of seasonally drying ponds and wet meadows, providing important habitat for amphibians and plants adapted to fluctuating water levels.

Which species is the site particularly known for? The common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), recognizable by the loud sounds it makes when threatened and the garlic-like scent it releases as a predator deterrent.

Is it worth a long visit? The site's value is primarily ecological and educational rather than scenic, making it best suited as a short stop for nature enthusiasts traveling through the Vysočina region, for example on the way to nearby Telč.

When is the best time to visit? Spring is when amphibian activity peaks, but it is also when extra care should be taken not to disturb the breeding habitats.