Jesličky

Jesličky is a small but ecologically significant nature monument located just north of the village of Němčičky in the Břeclav District of South Moravia, Czech Republic. Covering only 3.52 hectares, the protected area spans an elevation range of 226 to 288 meters above sea level, packing considerable habitat diversity into a compact footprint.

Why is this site protected?

The area owes its protected status to a distinctive mix of steppe meadows, former pastures, and warmth-loving pedunculate oak woodlands growing on a loess substrate. This combination of habitats is typical of the warmer parts of South Moravia and supports plants and animals adapted to intense sunlight and dry, well-drained soils. The loess substrate, formed from windblown silt deposits, creates the specific soil conditions that allow rare steppe plant species to thrive.

History of protection

The site was first granted legal protection on 14 May 2002. Its status and boundaries were later updated by Regulation No. 6/2019 of the South Moravian Region, issued on 3 June 2019, which re-established the nature monument under current regional legislation. The area is administered by the South Moravian Regional Authority (Krajský úřad Jihomoravského kraje). Under the IUCN protected area classification, Jesličky falls into Category IV, meaning it is managed specifically for the conservation of particular species.

What can visitors see here?

Jesličky is best known for its wealth of protected plant species tied to steppe grassland communities. Among the most notable are the multi-flowered pasque flower, a striking early-spring bloomer with hairy stems and vivid purple flowers, the hairy flax, the variegated iris, and the military orchid, one of the more demanding and rarer wild orchid species found in Central Europe. The site is also home to the spring pheasant's eye. The presence of so many protected species in such a small area underscores the site's importance for regional biodiversity conservation.

The warmth-loving oak woodlands growing along the edges of the steppe meadows form a natural transition zone between the open, sun-exposed grassland and the shadier forest interior, further increasing the range of microhabitats available to local flora and fauna.

Who should visit?

Jesličky is a rewarding destination for nature lovers, amateur botanists, and anyone interested in the rare steppe ecosystems of Central Europe. Given its small size, the site can be explored fairly quickly, but the best time to visit is spring, when species such as the multi-flowered pasque flower are in bloom, or early summer, when the orchids and other steppe plants reach peak flowering.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Jesličky located? The nature monument lies north of the village of Němčičky in the Břeclav District, within the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic.

How large is the protected area? It covers 3.52 hectares, at an elevation of 226 to 288 meters above sea level.

Since when has the area been protected? Protection was first established in 2002, with the boundaries and legal status updated in 2019 through a regional regulation.

What species can be found here? Notable species include the multi-flowered pasque flower, hairy flax, variegated iris, military orchid, and spring pheasant's eye.

Who manages the site? The area is administered by the South Moravian Regional Authority.