About this place
Orlí hnízdo is a natural monument located west of the village of Štítary, in the Znojmo District of the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic. The protected area covers 15.75 hectares and spans an elevation range of 350 to 440 metres above sea level. Legal protection was declared on 1 March 2014 by the South Moravian Regional Authority.
What lies beneath the surface?
The geological foundation of Orlí hnízdo consists of crystalline rocks — migmatites grading locally into paragneisses, interspersed with occasional amphibolite layers. This varied bedrock, combined with the site's terrain and slope orientation, helps sustain distinctive, warmth-loving plant communities that have become increasingly rare elsewhere in this part of Moravia.
What kind of vegetation grows here?
Acidophilous oak forest dominates the reserve, built primarily around sessile oak, with hazel, pine, and ash filling out the canopy. On the sunniest, driest stretches of terrain, visitors can find characteristic xerothermic vegetation, including feather grass (Stipa pennata) — a species typical of steppe and dry grassland habitats that signals unusually warm and dry microclimates persisting on certain parts of the site. The presence of such species underscores the ecological value of Orlí hnízdo as a refuge for xerothermic vegetation in South Moravia.
Why is it a haven for insects and birds?
Orlí hnízdo is best known for its remarkable invertebrate diversity. Biological surveys have recorded 202 butterfly species and 134 beetle species here — figures that place this modest-sized area among the most entomologically valuable sites in the region. Among the butterflies, the clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne) stands out as a critically endangered species, and its presence is one of the key reasons the site was granted protected status. Bird life is represented by 40 recorded species, further highlighting the biodiversity packed into this small but exceptionally valuable territory.
Why is this site worth visiting?
Orlí hnízdo demonstrates how a relatively small area can preserve a mosaic of habitats — from dry, xerothermic grasslands to oak woodland — a combination that has become rare in this particular form across South Moravia. It is precisely this habitat diversity that accounts for the extraordinary richness of insect and plant species documented during field surveys.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Orlí hnízdo located? West of the village of Štítary, in the Znojmo District of the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic.
How large is the protected area? The natural monument covers 15.75 hectares, at an elevation of 350–440 metres above sea level.
Since when has the area been protected? Formal protection was established on 1 March 2014 by decision of the South Moravian Regional Authority.
What species can be found here? The site is home to 202 butterfly species, including the critically endangered clouded Apollo, 134 beetle species, and 40 bird species.
What forest type dominates the reserve? Acidophilous oak forest with sessile oak predominates, mixed with hazel, pine, and ash.
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