Ruda (national natural monument)

Ruda is a national natural monument straddling the border between the České Budějovice and Tábor districts, sitting on the southeastern edge of the Horusický fishpond at an elevation of roughly 420 metres above sea level. The site lies within the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area, one of the most ecologically valuable regions of southern Bohemia, famous for its network of medieval fishponds and extensive peatlands.

How did this place come to be protected?

Protection of the area dates back to 1950, when it was first designated as a reserve covering just half a hectare. In 1991 the protected area was substantially enlarged to 14.645 hectares, and in 2010 its status was upgraded to national natural monument — a change reflecting the nationwide importance of the ecosystems preserved here.

What exactly is Ruda protecting?

The main conservation target is a peatland fed by numerous spring areas. This is where original boreal plant communities have survived — vegetation typical of a much colder climate, essentially a relic of past geological eras. These communities are considered significant for the whole of southern Bohemia, since they include plant species that have become rare elsewhere in the region. The abundance of springs keeps the ground permanently saturated, creating conditions that sustain the moisture-loving flora characteristic of both low-lying and transitional bogs.

Its position next to the Horusický fishpond, one of the larger reservoirs within the Třeboň fishpond system, underlines Ruda's role as part of a much larger mosaic of wetlands that has shaped the landscape and microclimate of the region for centuries.

Can visitors explore Ruda?

The protected area itself is closed to the public — entry to the peatland is prohibited in order to shield its fragile habitats from trampling and disturbance. Nature lovers can still experience the surroundings via a yellow-marked hiking trail that runs along the monument's boundary, connecting Veselí nad Lužnicí with the village of Záblatí. From this route, walkers can observe the character of the terrain from a respectful distance: a mosaic of wet meadows, scrub and woodland encircling the protected peatland.

Why does this matter to visitors exploring Veselí nad Lužnicí?

Although not directly accessible, Ruda is an important reference point for anyone touring the area around Veselí nad Lužnicí and the wider Třeboňsko region. It illustrates how centuries of intensive fishpond management have coexisted with the preservation of pockets of original, untouched nature. For hikers following the yellow trail, it offers a chance to see not just the region's picturesque ponds but a rarer type of landscape — a peat bog supporting vegetation seldom found elsewhere in the Czech Republic today.

When visiting this corner of Třeboňsko, it's worth remembering that Ruda's value lies precisely in remaining undisturbed: it is protected not for scenic views but for the natural processes that have shaped its peatlands and unique flora over thousands of years.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ruda open to visitors? No, the national natural monument itself is closed to the public. It can only be circled via a marked yellow hiking trail.

Where exactly is Ruda located? On the southeastern edge of the Horusický fishpond, within the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area, on the border between the České Budějovice and Tábor districts.

Since when has the area been protected? Since 1950, initially as a small reserve, expanded in 1991 and upgraded to national natural monument status in 2010.

What is being protected here? A spring-fed peatland along with relict boreal plant communities that are significant for the whole of southern Bohemia.