Pustý kopec u Konic

Pustý kopec u Konic is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve situated in the municipality of Nový Šaldorf-Sedlešovice, in the Znojmo district of southern Moravia. The protected area covers just 1.57 hectares on a hill built from mica schist, with its summit reaching 264 metres above sea level. The hill sits between a railway line and the road connecting Havraníky with Nový Šaldorf, making it an easily accessible stop for anyone exploring the countryside around Znojmo.

Why was this hill given protected status?

Pustý kopec has been protected since 1956 for its remarkable steppe plant communities, which developed on the dry, sun-exposed slope. The schist bedrock and shallow soil layer favour plants adapted to harsh, arid conditions, turning the hillside into a pocket of steppe habitat set within the rolling landscape of southern Moravia.

What plants and animals live here?

The vegetation covering the slope is typical of dry grassland (xerothermic) habitats, including Wallis fescue, slender false melic — a fine grass species characteristic of dry meadows — and meadow oat grass. Alongside these grasses grow several sedge species, and in spring the hill is dotted with flowering pasque flowers, one of the most recognisable plants of steppe grasslands in this part of Europe.

This rich plant cover supports a varied animal life as well. Among the insects found here are cherry-leaf beetles that feed on cherry trees, along with several species of sawflies. On sun-warmed stones and among the dry grasses, praying mantises can be spotted — a heat-loving insect that remains rare in the country's cooler regions. The reserve is also home to green lizards, one of the most striking lizard species found in the Czech Republic, notable for the vivid green colouring displayed by males during the mating season.

How to reach Pustý kopec

The hill lies right next to Nový Šaldorf-Sedlešovice, close to Znojmo, making it a convenient destination for a short walk or bike ride for visitors touring this wine-growing region. The route follows the railway line and the road linking Havraníky with Nový Šaldorf, so reaching the site requires no special preparation.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the Pustý kopec u Konic reserve? The protected area covers 1.57 hectares on a hill rising to 264 metres above sea level.

Since when has the site been protected? It has held protected status since 1956.

What can visitors see on site? Characteristic steppe grasslands with pasque flowers, Wallis fescue and meadow oat grass, along with green lizards, praying mantises and rare beetles and sawflies among the wildlife.

Where exactly is the reserve located? Between the railway line and the road from Havraníky to Nový Šaldorf, in the municipality of Nový Šaldorf-Sedlešovice in the Znojmo district.

Is it worth combining a visit with a trip to Znojmo? Yes — its proximity to Znojmo and the surrounding wine region makes a short walk on Pustý kopec a good addition to a longer day out in the area.