EN > Trip tips > Heřmanice Pond

In the immediate vicinity of Ostrava–Heřmanice - a borough of the major industrial city Ostrava - lies one of the most important bird-nesting sites in the Czech Republic. This biotope, consisting of five fish ponds and more than 100 hectares of reed (the largest expanse of reed in Silesia), is unique even by international standards: it is home to at least 250 different bird species, more than twenty of which are protected throughout the European Union.

The site is unique not only in terms of its natural treasures, but above all because of the genius loci. Along the perimeter of the pond, one will find several dozen fishermen's piers, which make the place feel as if it were located in East Asia, rather than Central Europe.

In 2012, thanks to the NET4GAS Closer to Nature programme, ČSOP Onyx was able to build a 1.5-km educational trail here, including five information panels, a bird-watching perch with covered seating, and separate seats. The educational trail familiarises visitors with the natural treasures of Heřmanice Pond, but also with the fascinating history of the site.