Hrnčárky

Hrnčárky is a small nature reserve located about 1.5 km west of the village of Strání-Květná, in the Uherské Hradiště district, within the Bílé Karpaty (White Carpathians) Protected Landscape Area. It protects a wet, spring-fed meadow with remarkably rich flora, along with surviving fragments of warm-loving grassland communities that have persisted despite agricultural pressure on the surrounding land.

What makes this place special?

At the heart of the reserve is a spring whose water is heavily enriched with calcium carbonate. As the water flows out, this mineral precipitates onto soil and plant remains, forming distinctive brown crusts. Over centuries, under the right conditions, this ongoing process can build up into substantial travertine mounds — hard, layered limestone deposits that are rare in this part of the region. This geological and hydrological process is the main reason the site was placed under protection.

The moisture and high calcium content of the water have created a habitat well suited to rare plant and animal species that would struggle to survive elsewhere. The spring meadow, together with the adjoining patches of thermophilic grassland, forms a mosaic of habitats typical of the foothills of the White Carpathians.

Since when has the area been protected?

The site has held legal protection since 1995. It is managed by the administration of the Bílé Karpaty Protected Landscape Area, which carries out regular mowing — typically once a year, in August. This management is essential: without it, the meadow would gradually become overgrown with shrubs and tall perennial plants, a process that has previously led to a decline in the site's floral diversity.

Strict rules apply within the reserve: the use of biocides is prohibited, as is construction work, the building of hunting facilities, and the planting of fruit trees or other species foreign to this habitat. These restrictions exist to protect the delicate balance of the spring-fed ecosystem from degradation.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Close to Hrnčárky lies the Žabka pond, which once served as a water reservoir and is now used for fish farming and recreation. It offers a natural complement to a walk through the reserve, letting visitors combine nature observation with a short rest by the water.

The surrounding area around Strání is known for its dense network of hiking trails and cycling routes running through the foothills of the White Carpathians, making Hrnčárky a convenient stop along a longer hiking or cycling trip through the region.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors enter the Hrnčárky reserve freely? The site is open to visitors, but the usual restrictions for protected areas apply — walking off the marked paths in a way that damages vegetation or disturbs the habitat is not permitted.

Why does the water leave brown deposits on plants? This happens because calcium carbonate dissolved in the spring water precipitates out over time; given enough time, the process can build up into travertine mounds.

How far is the reserve from Strání? Hrnčárky lies about 1.5 km west of the village of Strání-Květná.

What is located near the reserve? The nearby Žabka pond, now used for recreation and fish farming, is close by.