Žofinka

Žofinka National Nature Reserve protects an extensive peat bog covered by bog pine forest, located in the Jindřichův Hradec District about 2 km west of the village of Dvory nad Lužnicí, within the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area. The reserve spans more than 344 hectares and forms part of a much larger peat deposit exceeding 460 hectares, one of the most significant in this part of South Bohemia.

What can visitors see in the reserve?

The dominant feature of the landscape is a forest of bog pine (Pinus rotundata) growing directly on the peatland, with a dense understory shaped by bog rosemary (Ledum palustre) — a shrub with a distinctive, strong scent typical of acidic, waterlogged habitats. In places, the peat layer here reaches up to four metres in depth, evidence of centuries of continuous accumulation of organic matter.

Why is this place protected?

The reserve safeguards natural forest stands and open peatland communities, together with populations of bog pine and bog rosemary and the habitats that depend on them. This is a rare ecosystem type both nationally and across Central Europe, highly sensitive to any change in water conditions. State protection has been in place since 1975, and the site is also included in the Natura 2000 network as a site of European importance.

What is the history behind Žofinka?

The story of Žofinka is closely tied to peat extraction. Large-scale harvesting began here as early as the start of the 19th century. This intensive, poorly managed extraction gradually lowered the groundwater table, a change that was critical for the survival of the site's unique vegetation and the many animal species tied to this habitat. Traces of the former extraction are still visible today in the form of drainage ditches, now found in various stages of natural silting and overgrowth. It was only with the introduction of legal protection in 1975 that the decline was halted, preserving this remarkable peatland for future generations.

What wildlife lives here?

The peat bog and surrounding bog pine forest provide shelter for species tied to wet, largely undisturbed habitats. The presence of the Eurasian elk (moose) has been documented within the reserve — one of the largest hoofed mammals found in Central Europe, for which the extensive, undisturbed wetlands of the Třeboňsko region serve as an important refuge.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Žofinka Nature Reserve located? It lies in the Jindřichův Hradec District in South Bohemia, Czech Republic, about 2 km west of Dvory nad Lužnicí, within the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area.

How large is the reserve? The protected area covers more than 344 hectares and forms part of a larger peat deposit exceeding 460 hectares.

Since when has the area been protected? The site received formal state protection in 1975, following years of degradation caused by peat extraction.

What is the main conservation focus? Natural bog pine forest growing on peatland, its bog rosemary understory, and the plant and animal species tied to this unique habitat, including the Eurasian elk.

Is this the only peatland in the area? No — Žofinka is part of a much larger peat deposit of more than 460 hectares, and the wider Třeboňsko region contains several other protected peat bogs of a similar character.