Káraný - Hrbáčkovy tůně

Káraný – Hrbáčkovy tůně is a nature reserve stretching between the towns of Čelákovice, Lysá nad Labem, and Přerov nad Labem, in the eastern part of the Central Bohemian Region. Covering more than 337 hectares, the protected area spans the cadastral territories of Káraný, Sedlčánky, Lysá nad Labem, and Přerov nad Labem, forming one of the most distinctive landscape features of the central Elbe (Labe) river basin.

Where do the tůně come from?

The Czech word "tůně" refers to pools or backwaters, and these are exactly what define the heart of the reserve. They were formed in the 1930s, when the course of the Elbe river was straightened and diverted into a new channel. The old meanders, left to their own devices, gradually turned into a network of shallow pools surrounded by dense riverside vegetation. Today this mosaic landscape — floodplain meadows, alder groves, willow thickets, and reed beds — creates a habitat rarely found in such a concentrated form elsewhere in the Czech Republic.

What protection status does the site hold?

The Káraný – Hrbáčkovy tůně nature reserve was formally established on 6 October 2014, under Regulation No. 13/2014 issued by the Central Bohemian Region on 11 August 2014. The regulation aims to secure long-term protection of the habitats found here, which also make up a Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network, registered under the code CZ0214007. This dual status — a national nature reserve combined with EU-level protection — underlines how important the site is for preserving the region's biodiversity.

Which habitats and species are protected here?

Protection focuses primarily on natural eutrophic standing waters, river valley meadows, extensively mown lowland hay meadows, and continental dry grasslands and alkaline fens. Alongside these are oak-hornbeam forests and mixed floodplain forests typical of land regularly inundated by the river. Among the protected animal species are the great crested newt and the stag beetle, both closely tied to the preservation of wetland conditions and old-growth timber in this environment.

What should visitors know before coming?

The reserve lies in an easily accessible part of the central Elbe basin, near Čelákovice, making it an appealing destination for anyone seeking nature close to Prague. The network of former river bends and marshy meadows creates a quiet, tranquil landscape that contrasts with the now-regulated course of the Elbe flowing nearby. The site is especially rewarding for those interested in observing waterfowl and amphibians, as well as for anyone curious about how the river's course changed during the 20th century.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Káraný – Hrbáčkovy tůně reserve established? It was formally declared on 6 October 2014, based on a regulation issued by the Central Bohemian Region in August of the same year.

How large is the protected area? The reserve itself, excluding the buffer zone, covers more than 337 hectares.

Where do the tůně (pools) come from? They formed in the 1930s after the Elbe's course was straightened into a new channel — the abandoned meanders turned into a network of pools.

Which animal species are protected here? Among others, the great crested newt and the stag beetle, both linked to wetland habitats and old-growth trees.

Does the site have European significance? Yes, it is a Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network, registered under the code CZ0214007.