Pálava Protected Landscape Area, Nature reserve in South Moravian Region, Czech Republic
Pálava Protected Landscape Area is a nature reserve in South Moravia featuring limestone hills, oak forests, and varied grassland ecosystems. The landscape spreads along a ridge between Mikulov and Pavlov with a mix of wooded slopes, open hillsides, and unusual plant habitats.
The area was designated as a protected landscape in 1976 and gained UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status in 1986. This recognition honored its ecological importance and role in safeguarding rare habitats.
The area holds archaeological remains from the Stone Age, including the famous Venus of Dolní Věstonice figurine discovered here. These findings and settlement traces tell the story of early human communities that flourished in this region thousands of years ago.
The area can be explored on marked hiking trails that connect Mikulov and Pavlov towns, with several viewpoints along the routes. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the trails cross hills and pass through varied habitats.
The area harbors rare steppe grasslands on the limestone slopes of Děvín Hill with plant species found nowhere else in the Czech Republic. These special habitats developed due to the region's particular geology and climate, drawing botanists and nature enthusiasts.
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