Tankodrom, Nature reserve in Rakovník, Czech Republic
The Tankodrom is a protected nature reserve northwest of Rakovník covering about 31 hectares with gradual elevation changes across the site. The land consists of different habitats including grasslands, wetlands, and ponds that together create a varied landscape.
The area was farmland until the 1950s when the military took control and conducted tank exercises there. Those activities stopped in the 1990s, after which the land was placed under protection.
The name reflects its military past, and visitors can see today how different habitats sit alongside each other and support local life. Walking through, you notice how grasslands, wetlands, and ponds create distinct zones where plants and animals thrive in their own ways.
The best way to explore is on foot, with paths running through the different habitats and information boards along the way. Spring and summer are the best times to visit when wildlife is most active and the paths are easy to walk.
Military tank exercises inadvertently created ideal conditions for rare species like summer tadpole shrimp and swallowtail butterflies. This unexpected link between military use and nature protection makes the place particularly noteworthy.
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