Široký

Široký is a protected natural monument (přírodní památka) located in the cadastral territory of Dolní Dubňany, in the Znojmo district of the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic. It forms a narrow strip of hilly terrain on a slope above the Dolní Dubňany water reservoir, positioned along the watershed between the incised valleys of the Jihlava and Rokytná rivers. The relief is markedly sloped, with southwest-facing slopes predominating, and the bedrock consists of amphibolite and granulite.

What does this site protect?

Široký preserves a fragment of steppe vegetation — a remnant of an extensive pasture that once covered this hillside. Traditional grazing kept trees and shrubs from spreading, allowing dry-grassland (xerothermic) plant communities to persist on the sunlit slopes. Once grazing stopped, the site was placed under protection specifically to conserve this now-rare type of vegetation, which has largely disappeared from the wider Moravian landscape.

What plant species grow here?

The main reason for the site's protection is the large-flowered pasque flower (koniklec velkokvětý, Pulsatilla grandis), a species typical of dry, sun-exposed steppe slopes that blooms in early spring with striking purple flowers. It grows alongside other species associated with xerothermic habitats, including Czech gagea (Gagea bohemica) and grasses characteristic of steppe grasslands. The specific plant composition reflects the site's growing conditions: shallow, stony soils over amphibolite-granulite bedrock combined with strong sun exposure on the southwest-facing slopes.

Are there similar protected areas nearby?

Yes. Close by, between the villages of Jamolice and Dolní Dubňany, lies another natural monument called Ve Žlebě, which protects a comparable steppe plant community on a roughly 900-metre-long slope, also within the Mohelno Highlands and underlain by gneiss, granulite and amphibolite. Together, Široký and Ve Žlebě belong to a network of small, scattered sites in the northern Znojmo area that preserve relict steppe vegetation surviving thanks to the local terrain and geology.

Why visit Široký?

Široký is a destination for anyone interested in regional flora and geology rather than a conventional tourist attraction with visitor infrastructure. Its main draw is the chance to see the large-flowered pasque flower in bloom during early spring in its natural habitat, along with views over the distinctive watershed landscape between the Jihlava and Rokytná rivers, where steep, stony slopes meet the nearby reservoir. It makes a worthwhile addition to a trip around Moravský Krumlov and Znojmo for visitors seeking lesser-known, ecologically valuable corners of southern Moravia.

Frequently asked questions

What does "přírodní památka" mean? It is a Czech nature-protection category roughly equivalent to a natural monument, typically covering small but ecologically valuable sites.

When is the best time to visit Široký? Early spring is the most rewarding time, when the large-flowered pasque flower — the site's signature species — is in bloom.

Is the site easy to reach? Široký lies on a hillside above the water reservoir within the cadastral area of Dolní Dubňany, a short distance from the village, making it relatively accessible on foot.