Sviní hnízdo

Sviní hnízdo is a small nature monument located in the municipality of Slavkov, in the Uherské Hradiště district of the Zlín Region in the Czech Republic. The protected area lies southwest of the Lesná hill, close to the settlement of Vápenky, on the edge of the White Carpathians (Bílé Karpaty). It consists of two forest stands with a species composition typical of the original oak-hornbeam woodlands found in the lower elevations of this mountain range.

Why was this area protected?

The main reason for protection is the preservation of a mixed deciduous forest with rich undergrowth, along with its role as a habitat for the Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne), a protected butterfly species whose populations have been declining across Central Europe. The forest at Sviní hnízdo has retained a structure close to natural conditions, making it a valuable reference site for studying oak-hornbeam ecosystems in the region.

What grows in the forest undergrowth?

The herbaceous layer of the reserve is notably diverse. Species present include hairy sedge, bulbous corydalis-relative toothwort, and sweet woodruff — plants typical of fertile deciduous forests. Of particular botanical interest are several orchid species growing here, whose presence indicates a well-preserved habitat and stable soil and water conditions, a rarity in intensively managed agricultural landscapes nearby.

What animals live in this protected area?

Beyond the Clouded Apollo butterfly, Sviní hnízdo supports bird species associated with forest and adjacent watercourse environments. Species recorded in the surrounding area include the white-throated dipper, the European bee-eater, and the black stork — all indicators of clean streams and mature woodland, which together confirm the high ecological quality of this small landscape fragment.

Where exactly is the reserve located?

The protected area lies within the cadastral territory of Slavkov, directly adjacent to the settlement of Vápenky, southwest of the Lesná summit. Its approximate coordinates are 48.89°N, 17.6325°E, placing it within the White Carpathian range, not far from the border with Slovakia.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors access Sviní hnízdo? As a protected natural area, its primary purpose is to preserve valuable habitats, so visits should be limited to marked paths without venturing off-trail into the forest interior.

What is the main natural attraction here? The population of the Clouded Apollo butterfly and the diversity of orchid species in the forest undergrowth are the reserve's most notable features, both uncommon at a regional scale.

Which region of the Czech Republic is Sviní hnízdo in? The reserve is located in the Zlín Region, within the Uherské Hradiště district, in the municipality of Slavkov, part of the White Carpathians.

Are there other protected areas nearby? Yes, the White Carpathians host a network of reserves and natural monuments protecting similar oak-hornbeam forests and dry grasslands typical of this part of Moravia.