Nature park Niva Jihlavy

Niva Jihlavy Nature Park protects roughly 8 kilometres of the flat floodplain of the Jihlava River in South Moravia, stretching between the villages of Pravlov to the north and Pohořelice to the south. Covering 11.43 km² at an elevation of about 186 metres, the park spans parts of the cadastral territories of several villages, including Malešovice, Kupařovice, Němčičky, Medlov, Odrovice, and Pravlov. Malešovice itself, a municipality in the Brno-venkov District of the South Moravian Region, sits on the edge of the park, within the Dyjsko-svratecký úval valley.

Why was the area protected?

The nature park was declared by a decree of the Brno-venkov District Office on 3 May 1999, taking effect on 1 June of that year. The designation aims to preserve the distinctive character of the river valley landscape — the naturally meandering course of the Jihlava River together with its network of riparian woodland and oxbow lakes. This mosaic of water, floodplain forest, and meadow gives the countryside around Malešovice an unusually wild feel for a low-lying, agricultural stretch of Moravia.

What can visitors see near Malešovice?

The oxbow lakes within the park preserve remnants of the original aquatic and wetland vegetation. Yellow iris and arrowhead grow in and around the water, and near Malešovice stands of yellow water lily form distinctive patches across the surface of the calmer side-channels of the river. This variety of wetland habitats makes the area ecologically valuable despite its low elevation and proximity to farmland.

What wildlife lives in the park?

The Jihlava valley within the park's boundaries supports numerous species tied to freshwater habitats. It hosts a stable population of the green clubtail dragonfly (Ophiogomphus cecilia), a species typically associated with clean, naturally flowing lowland rivers. Amphibians recorded here include newts, fire-bellied toads, and European tree frogs, which rely on the oxbow lakes for breeding. The river and its side-channels are also home to the European beaver and the otter — two species whose presence signals the good ecological condition of the watercourse and its valley.

How does the park differ from other protected areas in the region?

Unlike many of South Moravia's well-known nature sites, which are often associated with vineyards and dry, heat-loving plant communities, Niva Jihlavy is above all a wetland and floodplain forest landscape. That contrast makes the countryside around Malešovice appealing both to birdwatchers and entomologists and to anyone looking for a quiet riverside walk away from more heavily visited routes.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the park in relation to Malešovice? Malešovice lies on the edge of the park, and part of its cadastral territory falls within the protected area, which runs along the Jihlava valley between Pravlov and Pohořelice.

When was the park established? It was declared by a decree issued on 3 May 1999, effective from 1 June 1999.

What animals can be found here? Notable species include the green clubtail dragonfly, the European beaver, the otter, and several amphibians such as the fire-bellied toad and the European tree frog.

What is the most distinctive feature of the valley? The oxbow lakes and their aquatic vegetation — yellow iris, arrowhead, and yellow water lily — are the most characteristic element of the landscape around Malešovice.