Maršovec a Čepička

Maršovec a Čepička is a natural monument straddling the cadastral territories of Pyšel and Pozďatín in the Třebíč district, part of the Vysočina region in the Czech Republic. The protected area centers on two small ponds — Maršovec and Čepička — together with the surrounding wetlands and waterlogged alder forests. Legal protection of the site has been in place since May 17, 2016.

What exactly is protected here?

The main purpose of the designation is to safeguard the biotope of the two ponds and the wetland habitats that border them. This combination of standing water, damp meadows, and moist alder carr forest is what makes the site ecologically valuable — it offers refuge for plant and animal species tied to wetland environments, which have become increasingly scarce in the surrounding agricultural landscape of the Vysočina highlands.

What species live here?

The area is best known for its rich amphibian populations. Recorded species within the natural monument include the fire-bellied toad, the agile frog, the moor frog, and the great crested newt — all species that depend on clean, well-preserved water bodies with developed shoreline vegetation for breeding. The Maršovec pond in particular stands out for its well-developed reed and marsh vegetation, typical of healthy pond ecosystems: bands of reeds, sedges, and other wetland plants ringing the water's edge.

The site also hosts a European-significance locality of the same name, underlining its importance within the wider Natura 2000 network of protected areas across the continent.

Where is it located?

Maršovec a Čepička lies in the Vysočina highlands, across the two neighboring cadastral municipalities of Pyšel and Pozďatín in the Třebíč district. It's a quiet, rural corner of the Czech Republic, away from the main tourist routes, which has helped it retain its natural, largely undisturbed character. The site's approximate coordinates are 49.234012 N, 16.062101 E.

Who is this place for?

This is primarily a destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and amphibian enthusiasts, as well as anyone looking for a quiet, low-key place for a walk away from crowds. Don't expect built-up tourist infrastructure — this is a protected area valued for its ecological significance rather than a conventional sightseeing attraction. The best time to visit is spring and early summer, when amphibian activity peaks and the wetland vegetation around the ponds is at its lushest.

Frequently asked questions

How is Maršovec a Čepička different from an ordinary fishpond? It isn't a working fishery but a site under formal legal protection as a natural monument (přírodní památka) — a status that shields both the ponds themselves and the surrounding wetland habitats from degradation.

Which species are the most notable here? The amphibian populations: fire-bellied toad, agile frog, moor frog, and great crested newt, all dependent on clean, well-preserved water bodies.

When is the best time to visit? Spring and early summer, during the amphibians' breeding season and when the wetland vegetation around the ponds is most abundant.

Is the site easy for tourists to reach? It lies in the rural municipalities of Pyšel and Pozďatín in the Třebíč district — a place suited to travelers seeking genuine contact with nature rather than developed tourist facilities.