Pod Šibenicí

Pod Šibenicí is a small nature monument located about one and a half kilometers north of the town of Velvary, in the Kladno district of the Central Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The protected area has existed since 1987 and covers just 3 hectares, yet despite its modest size it holds notable ecological value for this part of the country. The site is administered by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK) in Prague.

Where exactly is this reserve located?

The protected area stretches across the bottom of a shallow valley formed by the Vranský stream, situated between the roads connecting Velvary to Miletice and Velvary to Černuc. The reserve covers the left bank of the stream along a stretch of more than 500 meters, though its width varies considerably — from as little as around 10 meters at the western corner to as much as 100 meters at the eastern end. This elongated, irregular shape means the site reads more like a ribbon of meadow woven into the surrounding farmland than a compact forest or rock formation typical of many nature reserves.

Why was this particular spot protected?

The reserve was established to protect a habitat of salt-tolerant (halophilic) plants — a rare and ecologically significant occurrence for an inland location in the Czech Republic. At the time the area was designated for protection, it supported species such as false fox sedge (Carex otrubae), rye sedge (Carex secalina), saltmarsh rush (Juncus gerardii), and lesser centaury (Centaurium pulchellum). The presence of these plants points to unusual, saline soil conditions that are not typical for this part of Central Bohemia, which is precisely what made formal protection worthwhile.

What is happening to the meadow today?

Unfortunately, the condition of this valuable halophilic vegetation has deteriorated considerably since the reserve was created. The cause lies in a disruption of the area's natural water regime — the Vranský stream now flows along a noticeably incised, lowered channel at the edge of the valley, which has led to the gradual drying out of the meadow. As a result, the rare salt-loving plants have almost entirely disappeared, and reed vegetation has begun to take over instead, requiring regular mowing to keep it from dominating the site completely. It is a telling example of how formal protected status alone is not enough — without active management such as mowing, the unique character of this habitat could be lost for good.

Who is this place for?

Pod Šibenicí is not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense — there are no educational trails, viewpoints, or visitor infrastructure here. It is, above all, a destination for people interested in botany and nature conservation, as well as for local residents wanting to better understand the quieter, less obvious corners of the Central Bohemian landscape. A walk along the Vranský stream valley offers insight into what small-scale nature conservation looks like in practice — maintaining a unique habitat surrounded by farmland and local roads.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pod Šibenicí? It is a přírodní památka, the lowest category of protected area in the Czech legal system, safeguarding a meadow with salt-tolerant vegetation along the Vranský stream.

How large is the protected area? The reserve covers 3 hectares and extends along the left bank of the stream for more than 500 meters.

Since when has the area been protected? Protection was established in 1987.

Which plant species does the reserve protect? Primarily salt-tolerant species: false fox sedge, rye sedge, saltmarsh rush, and lesser centaury, although their populations have declined significantly due to the drying out of the site.

How do you get to the reserve? It lies about 1.5 km north of Velvary, between the roads leading to Miletice and to Černuc, in the Kladno district of Central Bohemia.