Na Kopaninách

Na Kopaninách is a small nature reserve on a north-facing slope near the village of Radonín, in the Třebíč district of the Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 550–570 metres, the protected area covers a remnant of former common pastureland, mown meadows, and a small patch of forest. Locals also know the site by its traditional name, Pálenice.

Why is this site protected?

The reserve exists to preserve the character of the old common pastures and, above all, to protect the Bohemian gentian (Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica), a plant that has become increasingly rare in the region. Its population here has declined noticeably in recent years, which is why the site has been included in a dedicated rescue programme for the species, with active conservation measures aimed at helping it recover.

What plants and animals live here?

Alongside the Bohemian gentian, the meadows shelter several other threatened plant species, including intermediate wintergreen (Pyrola media), mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica), and a butterfly-orchid from the Platanthera genus. This rich meadow flora is the direct result of centuries of low-intensity grazing, which shaped the plant community found here today.

The reserve is also an important refuge for reptiles. Visitors may come across the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), and the site is home to the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), a non-venomous species under strict protection across Central Europe.

What should you know before visiting?

Na Kopaninách is a strictly nature-focused site rather than a developed tourist attraction — there are no marked educational trails or visitor facilities. Anyone visiting should respect the protected status of the area, particularly during the flowering season of the Bohemian gentian in late summer and during the reptiles' breeding period.

The surrounding countryside around Radonín offers the quiet, rural landscape typical of the Vysočina Highlands, making it easy to combine a visit to the reserve with a walk through the nearby meadows and woodlands of this uncrowded region.

Frequently asked questions

What is Na Kopaninách? It is a nature reserve near the village of Radonín in the Vysočina Region, protecting a fragment of former pastureland, meadows, and a small forest.

Why is this site ecologically significant? Because it hosts the threatened Bohemian gentian along with other rare plants and reptiles, including the sand lizard and the smooth snake.

Is there visitor infrastructure on site? No, the area is managed purely for nature conservation, without developed trails or viewpoints.

What is the local name for this place? Locals refer to it as Pálenice.