Pod Veselovem

Pod Veselovem is a small nature reserve on the northwestern slope of Veselov hill (493.3 m above sea level), within the cadastral area of the village of Družec, roughly 6 km southwest of Kladno in the Central Bohemian Region. The protected area covers a steep, sun-exposed slope with a steppe-like character, which for decades has attracted the attention of botanists and enthusiasts of rare plant species.

Why was this site given protected status?

The area was declared a protected nature monument in 1969 because of the presence of the endangered Bohemian pasque flower (Pulsatilla pratensis subsp. bohemica), a plant that survives here in relatively large numbers on this small patch of land. This single species is essentially the reason the site appears on the map of protected natural areas in the region at all.

What other plants grow here?

Besides the pasque flower, the slope is home to several other rare and protected steppe and xerothermic plant species, including prostrate speedwell (Veronica prostrata), white cinquefoil (Potentilla alba), and mountain clover (Trifolium alpestre). Their presence points to an unusual microclimate and soil composition on this modest hillside, more typical of warmer, southern parts of Europe than of central Bohemia.

How can visitors reach the reserve?

Access to the protected area is not straightforward, which has paradoxically helped preserve its ecological value. The easiest approach is via a path branching off the road leading toward Velká Dobrá (from Hlavní street), followed by a climb up the slope. An alternative route follows a field-edge footpath connecting Družec and Velká Dobrá. Because there are no officially marked hiking trails and the terrain is steep, the site is mainly visited by people specifically interested in the local flora — amateur botanists and nature enthusiasts — rather than casual sightseers.

When is the best time to visit?

The main draw of Pod Veselovem is the flowering period of the pasque flower, which typically occurs in early spring. During this short window, the slope becomes covered with the plant's distinctive purple blooms, a rare sight anywhere else in the Central Bohemian Region. Outside that period, the reserve remains a quiet, little-visited spot appreciated mostly by those looking for unusual xerothermic vegetation away from crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pod Veselovem a popular tourist attraction? No — due to difficult access and the absence of tourist infrastructure, it is visited mainly by botany enthusiasts rather than by mass tourism.

What is the main natural value of this area? The presence of the Bohemian pasque flower, a rare, protected subspecies for whose sake the reserve was established in 1969.

Are there marked trails inside the reserve? There are no officially marked hiking trails — only informal paths leading in from the direction of the road to Velká Dobrá.

What is the best season to visit? Early spring, when the pasque flower blooms, is by far the most rewarding time to see this site.