Nové hory

Nové hory is a small yet ecologically significant nature monument set on a steep slope near the village of Blučina, in the Brno-venkov district of South Moravia. Covering only 0.4 hectares, the site is protected for preserving a remnant of warm-loving, broad-leaved dry grasslands along with a striking wealth of rare and specially protected plant and animal species.

What is Nové hory?

The site is a surviving fragment of the steppe-like dry grasslands that once covered many sun-exposed slopes across South Moravia. Habitats of this kind have become increasingly scarce as land use in the region has changed over the decades, which makes Nové hory an important refuge for species that are now hard to find elsewhere nearby.

Why is the area protected?

Protection centers on the presence of orchid species, including the military orchid, alongside other rare and legally protected plants growing on the steep, partly wooded slope. The site is also notable for its insect diversity: more than 480 species of nocturnal moths have been recorded here, an unusually high number that points to a well-preserved habitat with long ecological continuity.

A brief history of protection

The area was first placed under legal protection on 11 December 1980. Decades later, on 31 October 2013, the South Moravian Regional Council issued a new decree re-establishing the nature monument, updating its legal protection to current standards.

What does the terrain look like?

Nové hory consists of a steep slope combining patches of trees and shrubs with open grassland. This mosaic of habitats, ranging from sun-baked dry turf to wooded sections, supports a disproportionately rich variety of species for such a small protected area and gives it an outsized ecological role in the region.

Where is Nové hory located?

The site lies right next to the village of Blučina, in the Brno-venkov district of the South Moravian Region, at approximately 49.0471° N, 16.6353° E.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the protected area of Nové hory? The nature monument covers just 0.4 hectares, making it one of the smaller protected sites in the region.

What is being protected at Nové hory? Primarily a remnant of warm-loving dry grassland with orchid species, including the military orchid, plus other rare plants and a remarkably rich moth fauna of more than 480 recorded species.

When was the area first protected? It was first designated on 11 December 1980, with a new decree updating its protected status issued on 31 October 2013.

Where exactly is Nové hory? Near the village of Blučina in the Brno-venkov district of South Moravia, Czech Republic.

Is this a good destination for a nature trip? Given its small size and fragile habitat, Nové hory is mainly of interest to visitors curious about botany and entomology who want to see a preserved fragment of South Moravia's dry grassland landscape.