Vražda

Vražda is a small pond located southwest of the village of Jinolice, in the Jičín district, right in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) region. Covering just 2.1 hectares, it is the smallest of the three so-called Jinolice Ponds. Despite its modest size, the site has held the status of a natural monument since 1990, protecting both the pond itself and the surrounding Slatinná meadow.

Where does the name come from?

The name sounds ominous, and for good reason — "vražda" means "murder" in Czech. Its origin traces back to the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. During fighting on 29 June of that year, Prussian soldiers drove a group of Austrian soldiers into the water, where many of them drowned. That tragic event left a permanent mark on the local toponymy and still serves as a reminder of the bloody episodes of the war that swept through this part of Bohemia.

Why is the pond protected?

Nature conservation here centers primarily on the wet meadows surrounding the pond, which provide habitat for protected plant and animal species. The meadows are home to species such as purple moor-grass, marsh thistle, tussock sedge, common bistort, Davall's sedge and flea sedge. Of particular botanical value are two orchid species — the broad-leaved marsh orchid and the common spotted orchid — which bloom here during the summer season, drawing the attention of nature lovers and photographers alike.

The area is managed by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), specifically the administration of the Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area, to which this site administratively belongs.

A history reaching back centuries

The first written mentions of the Jinolice Ponds date back to the 17th century, when the ponds belonged to a local manor farm. The ponds themselves are likely much older, however — since their establishment they have been noble property, with the last owners being the Schlick family, one of the notable aristocratic families active in this part of Bohemia.

What to know before visiting

Vražda pond lies right next to Jinolice and forms part of a larger complex of three Jinolice Ponds. It is a place that combines natural value — rich meadow flora and protected habitats — with an unusual, if dark, wartime history. For visitors exploring Bohemian Paradise, it makes for a worthwhile stop connecting nature with regional history, especially since the surrounding area also serves as something of a gateway to the nearby Prachov Rocks, one of the region's best-known attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name of Vražda pond come from? The name commemorates events from the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, when Prussian soldiers drove a group of Austrian soldiers into the water, many of whom drowned.

How large is the pond? The pond covers about 2.1 hectares, making it the smallest of the three Jinolice Ponds.

Since when has the area been protected? The pond and the surrounding Slatinná meadow have held natural monument status since 1990.

What plant species can be found here? The meadows are home to species such as purple moor-grass, marsh thistle, and two orchid species — the broad-leaved marsh orchid and the common spotted orchid.

Who were the last owners of the ponds? The last owners of the Jinolice Ponds were the Schlick family.