Na Hradech

Na Hradech is a small but ecologically dense nature reserve located just east of the village of Žáravice, in the Pardubice District of the Czech Republic. Protection here covers a mere 9.52 hectares, yet that compact area holds several distinct environments at once: a limestone slope, old-growth deciduous woodland, a pond fringed with rare vegetation, and the remnants of a medieval stronghold. Walking through Na Hradech takes little time, but the shift between habitats makes it feel like passing through several different landscapes in a single short trail.

What is inside the reserve

The core of the protected area is an oak-hornbeam coppice with an admixture of beech, growing on calcareous eluvium. This kind of bedrock, drier and mineral-rich compared to the surrounding lowland soils, favors plant species that are uncommon in typical Czech lowland forests. At the foot of the slope lies the Švihov pond, and it is on its bank that a striking population of a rare fern-like plant grows, one that depends on constant moisture and shade. The combination of pond, meadows, and limestone slopes side by side is exactly why the whole area was placed under protection — it is this mosaic of habitats, rather than a single unique species, that gives Na Hradech its ecological value.

A history reaching back to the Middle Ages

The name of the reserve — literally "On the hillforts" — is not accidental. On the limestone rise above the Švihov pond, traces remain of a former stronghold known as Kozákův hrádek, tied to the history of nearby Žáravice and dating back to the 15th century. Today only faint marks in the terrain survive — low mounds and depressions visible to an attentive eye — but the site itself, perched on a high, defensible spur above the water, makes clear why this particular spot was chosen for a fortified settlement centuries ago.

The reserve also carries a more recent, cultural chapter. In 1954, before the area was formally protected for its natural value (which happened on February 17, 1956), a natural amphitheater was built into the slope. For many years it hosted theatrical performances, making Na Hradech an unusual example of a place that combines the role of a nature reserve with a local cultural tradition.

Birds and other wildlife

The variety of habitats — forest, pond, meadow, and rocky slope — makes Na Hradech attractive to birdlife. The area is often described as a haven for protected species, which find both nesting sites in the old woodland and feeding grounds around the water and meadows. For birdwatchers, it is one of those rare places where several distinct environments overlap within a very small area.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Na Hradech located? The reserve lies directly east of the village of Žáravice, in the Pardubice District of central Czech Republic.

When was the reserve established? It was formally protected on February 17, 1956.

What is the main reason for its protection? A pond surrounded by meadows, together with limestone slopes covered by oak-hornbeam woodland with an admixture of beech.

Are there any remains of old structures inside the reserve? Yes — on the rise above the Švihov pond, remnants of the medieval stronghold Kozákův hrádek survive.

Is there anything cultural here beyond nature? Yes, a natural amphitheater was built there in 1954 and was used for theatrical performances for many years.