Đurđevački Peski, Protected botanical reserve near Đurđevac, Croatia
Đurđevački Peski is a protected botanical reserve near Đurđevac featuring sand dunes that cover roughly 20 hectares along the right bank of the Drava River. The terrain supports a variety of plant species that have adapted to survive in sandy, dry conditions.
This area formed during the last Pleistocene glaciation when Alpine glaciers eroded rock materials and deposited them in lower zones through glacial processes. These ancient processes created the sandy landscape visible today.
Local residents call this place the 'Croatian Sahara' and 'Bloody Sands', names born from the struggles of farmers battling shifting sand formations over generations. These names reveal how deeply the landscape shaped daily life in the region.
The reserve has marked walking paths across the terrain for viewing the rare plants and natural dune formations at your own pace. It is best to wear comfortable shoes as the sandy ground can be uneven and shifting in places.
The reserve is home to around 30 butterfly species and numerous plants found only in this region, each having developed specific adaptations for sandy-soil living. These species represent a truly one-of-a-kind gathering of desert-adapted life.
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