Štíří důl

Štíří důl is a nature reserve in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, straddling the districts of Havlíčkův Brod and Žďár nad Sázavou at an elevation of 570–620 metres. The site lies roughly 1.5 km southwest of the village of Vojnův Městec and forms part of the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. Established in 1988, the reserve covers 18.8 hectares and protects the valley of the Štírový stream, stretching from the dam of the Malé Dářko pond to the road connecting the villages of Hluboká and Krucemburk.

Where does the unusual name come from?

"Štíří důl" translates as "Scorpion Valley," a striking name for a region where scorpions do not naturally occur. The explanation lies in local folklore rather than zoology: for generations, residents of the area referred to the fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) living in the valley as "štíři" — scorpions. The salamanders' dark bodies marked with bright yellow patches, combined with their secretive habits in the damp, shaded corners of the valley, apparently reminded locals of venomous arthropods, even though the amphibians pose no threat to humans. The nickname stuck and eventually became the reserve's official name.

What is being protected here?

The reserve's primary conservation purpose is to safeguard the stream valley as a habitat for the fire salamander and for the rare, blue-flowering Bohemian gentian (Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica), a subspecies found only in the Czech Republic and neighbouring areas. Special attention is also given to a small moss species, Buxbaumia viridis, which is listed as a species of European importance under the EU Habitats Directive. This moss grows on decaying deadwood in damp, shaded forests and serves as an indicator of well-preserved, natural woodland ecosystems.

Together with the neighbouring PR Řeka reserve, Štíří důl forms part of the "Štíří důl – Řeka" Site of Community Importance within the European Natura 2000 network. The area is considered one of the more valuable wetland habitats in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

What does the landscape look like?

The reserve encompasses a narrow, forested valley carved by the Štírový stream, marked by high humidity and natural shade that favour moisture-loving plant and animal species. The protected stretch runs from the dam of the Malé Dářko pond to the road linking Hluboká and Krucemburk, forming an ecological corridor connecting different habitat types across the highlands.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Štíří důl located? The reserve lies about 1.5 km southwest of the village of Vojnův Městec, within the districts of Havlíčkův Brod and Žďár nad Sázavou, inside the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area.

Do scorpions actually live in the reserve? No. The name comes from a local nickname for the fire salamander, an amphibian once mistakenly called a "scorpion" by area residents because of its appearance and secretive habits.

Which species are the reserve's main conservation priorities? The fire salamander, the Bohemian gentian (Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica), and the moss Buxbaumia viridis, a species of European conservation importance.

When was the reserve established and how large is it? It was declared in 1988 and covers an area of 18.8 hectares.