Hradišťanská louka, Nature reserve on Hradišťany mountain plateau near Mukov, Czech Republic.
Hradisťanská louka is a nature reserve on the Hradišťany mountain plateau near Mukov, featuring dry meadows and stone walls. The protected area covers roughly 3 hectares at elevations between 740 and 752 meters.
The reserve was established in 1952 and protects stone ramparts dating to the Knovíz culture period between 1200 and 1000 BCE. These remains show that the plateau has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
The meadow earned the name 'orchid meadow' in the late 19th century because numerous orchid species flourished there before farming practices altered the soil. This history reflects how the landscape was perceived by local communities.
The reserve is accessible via a red-marked hiking trail from Třebívlic or through forest paths from nearby villages including Mukov, Dřevce, Lhota, and Štěpánov. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant walking conditions.
The site protects two critically endangered plant species, orange ragwort and amethyst fescue, which grow nowhere else in such concentration. Populations of common vipers and sand lizards also make their home here.
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