Tisovské rybníky

Tisovské rybníky is a chain of six fishponds in the Tachov district of western Bohemia, protected as a nature reserve since 1990. For travelers looking for a quiet corner rich in waterbirds and with roots stretching back to the Middle Ages, this is a destination that pairs landscape calm with genuine ecological value.

Where did these ponds come from?

The pond system near the present-day village of Tisová was most likely established in the 13th century by the Lords of Švamberk. In medieval times, the marshy ground around the local river was difficult to farm, so instead of draining it, the builders worked with the wet terrain and created a network of fishponds. Ten ponds were originally built, and six of them survive today, forming the core of the current reserve.

Which ponds make up the reserve?

On maps they appear under the names Andělský, Borský, Bezděkovský, Velký Podveský, Malý Podveský, and Velký Jemnický. Each differs in size and in the character of the vegetation and wildlife that has developed around it — this variety of habitats is exactly what gives the whole area its high natural value.

Why has this place been protected since 1990?

The ponds were formally declared a nature reserve on 15 October 1990, although interest in protecting the nesting waterbirds had already grown in the second half of the 1980s. Until the mid-20th century, fish farming here relied on the natural food base of carp, which helped keep the ecosystem in balance. After the Second World War, intensive fish farming was introduced and came close to destroying the ponds' natural systems — only later protection allowed some of that damage to be reversed.

What can visitors see here?

Tisovské rybníky is today one of the most important wetland systems in the entire West Bohemian region. Up to 150 bird species have been recorded here, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. The surrounding wetlands and meadows are also home to several rare and endangered plants, including Siberian iris, marsh gentian, and green-winged orchid. The largest of the six ponds, Borský, covers roughly 25 hectares, while the whole reserve spans 83 hectares.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Tisovské rybníky located? The reserve lies northeast of the village of Staré Sedliště in the Tachov district of western Bohemia, near the village of Tisová.

When were the ponds built? The pond network was most likely established in the 13th century by the Lords of Švamberk, though it only received official protected status in 1990.

How many ponds belong to the reserve? The reserve consists of six ponds — Andělský, Borský, Bezděkovský, Velký Podveský, Malý Podveský, and Velký Jemnický — out of ten originally built in the Middle Ages.

What is the main natural attraction here? The abundance of waterbirds, with up to 150 species recorded, along with rare wetland plants such as Siberian iris and green-winged orchid.