Milíčovský les a rybníky, Natural monument in Újezd, Czech Republic

Milíčovský les a rybníky is a protected natural monument in the Újezd district of Prague, combining a woodland area with five connected ponds. The ponds sit among mature trees and wet bankside zones that alternate as you move through the terrain.

The forest was founded in the 18th century as a game park with a pheasantry, and in the 19th century it became a known hunting ground associated with Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca, founder of the Průhonice park. It was declared a protected natural monument in 1988 to safeguard its forest and wetland communities; no later extension of protection is documented.

The name of the area combines the village name Milíčov with the Czech words for forest and ponds, describing exactly what you see as you walk through it. Visitors often notice anglers along the pond banks and locals using the paths for everyday walks.

The pond system has five ponds on the Milíčovský stream, but the protected area ends at the western bank of the Vrah pond, so only the Milíčovský, Kančík and Homolka ponds lie inside it. The terrain rises from 265 to 295 metres, and the wettest ground is the sedge meadow in the northern part.

This site is home to more than a dozen frog and toad species, making it one of the richest spots for amphibians in the Prague area. Their calls are most noticeable in spring and at dusk, and the mix of sounds shifts through the year as different species take turns becoming active.