Žofínský prales, National nature reserve in Czechia

Žofínský prales is a national nature reserve in Czechia, located in the Novohradské hory mountains near the Austrian border. The reserve covers a forested slope where beech trees dominate, with some spruce and fir, and many trees are several hundred years old.

The reserve was established in 1838 by Count Georg Franz August von Buquoy, making it one of the oldest protected areas in continental Europe. Over the years, its size changed several times, and since 1991 it has been fully fenced and closed to people.

The name Žofínský prales refers to Sophia, a name linked to the Buquoy family who founded the reserve. Today, the forest is a place for scientific study and nature observation, and its strict protection is a source of local pride.

The forest is closed to the public, so you cannot walk inside it. You can still get a sense of it from the surrounding paths and viewpoints, and the nearby town of Nové Hrady serves as a base for exploring the area.

The forest is home to a great variety of species, including many beetles, mosses, and fungi that are rare elsewhere. The oldest trees here are up to 400 years old, and some reach heights of 40 to 50 meters.