Náměšťská obora

Náměšťská obora is a large forest-and-meadow game reserve lying just east of the town of Náměšť nad Oslavou, spanning cadastral land shared with the neighboring village of Králice nad Oslavou. Covering roughly 285 hectares at elevations between 345 and 480 metres above sea level, the site combines centuries of history as an aristocratic hunting ground with its present-day status as a protected nature reserve and part of the Natura 2000 network.

How old is this hunting ground?

The reserve's roots stretch back to the 16th century — the earliest known reference to a game park on the Náměšť estate dates from 1545, when the property belonged to the lords of Lomnice. More detailed records about its management and economic use appear from 1629, the year Karel the Elder of Žerotín sold the estate to his brother-in-law, the famed military commander Albrecht of Wallenstein. Ownership changed hands repeatedly over the following centuries, but the land consistently retained its role as a semi-natural hunting forest.

Why was the area given protected status?

On 22 May 2012, the Vysočina Regional Council designated Náměšťská obora a nature reserve. The decision was driven primarily by the presence of rare beetle species dependent on old-growth timber, including the great capricorn beetle and other insects that need decaying, veteran trees to survive. The high density of ancient, cavity-bearing trees is also what makes the reserve one of the most valuable forest habitats for birds anywhere in the Vysočina region.

What wildlife lives here?

The reserve has functioned as a deer park for centuries, and fallow deer remain its most recognizable inhabitants today. Birdlife is equally significant: surveys have recorded as many as six woodpecker species within the reserve, alongside wood pigeons and tawny owls. The abundance of cavity-nesting birds and songbirds draws birdwatchers and naturalists from across the region.

What else is worth seeing on site?

The reserve's architectural centerpiece is a Classical-style hunting lodge, known locally as the Lusthaus, built in the 19th century. Originally constructed as a resting point and vantage post for hunting parties, the lodge remains a distinctive landmark along walking routes through the reserve and a reminder of its aristocratic past.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Náměšťská obora located? It lies just east of Náměšť nad Oslavou, across cadastral land belonging to Náměšť and the neighboring village of Králice nad Oslavou, in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic.

How large is the protected area? The reserve covers approximately 285 hectares, at elevations ranging from 345 to 480 metres above sea level.

When did it become a protected reserve? The Vysočina Regional Council granted it nature reserve status on 22 May 2012, and it also forms part of the Natura 2000 network.

What animals can be seen there? Fallow deer are the most characteristic species. The reserve is also an important bird habitat, hosting up to six woodpecker species along with numerous songbirds.

What is the main historic landmark inside the reserve? A 19th-century Classical-style hunting lodge known as the Lusthaus, a well-known stop along the reserve's walking trails.