Vajai-tó Természetvédelmi Terület, Protected area with floating islands in Vaja, Hungary
The Vajai Lake Conservation Area is a wetland covering about 78 hectares with naturally formed floating islands covered in aquatic plants and layers of organic material. The site includes open water, reed beds, and these moving islands that shift and transform over time.
The lake basin formed during the last Ice Age as an old river valley was abandoned and the earth's crust shifted. In the 1800s, humans built artificial channels that changed how water moved through the system.
The lake held deep meaning for local people who used it for hemp processing, reed cutting, and fishing for generations before its protected status in 1996. These traditional practices shaped how the community connected with the water and its resources.
The area welcomes visitors but follows strict rules to protect its natural habitats and wildlife. Bring sturdy footwear and binoculars to better observe the birds and plants that thrive in this wetland setting.
The floating islands harbor plant species from the Ice Age period, including rare ferns and aquatic mint that grow atop layers of accumulated organic debris. These ancient plants have survived for thousands of years in this singular location.
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