Ranská jezírka, Nature reserve in Krucemburk, Czech Republic.

Ranská jezírka is a protected area with lakes and wetlands in the forested hills of the region. The landscape formed where ore was once extracted and now shows a mix of water surfaces, natural mounds, and forest edges.

The area formed from iron ore mines that left lakes and depressions in the landscape. The site was placed under protection in 1990 and since then the special conditions of this former mining land have been preserved.

The name refers to the flooded depressions left beside overgrown heaps of iron limonite ore from earlier mining. Fifteen species of aquatic molluscs have been recorded here, including six water snails and nine bivalves, among them the rare pea mussel Sphaerium nucleus.

Visitors can use marked walking trails and should respect sensitive areas to protect rare plants and animals. It makes sense to bring comfortable shoes and clothing that protects against wet ground.

The site holds rare water plants like white water lilies that grow in special spots and need particular conditions. Visitors may also spot black storks and mountain newts that prefer such wet habitats.