Unique national park in the heart of Europe

The National Park Podyji was created in July 1991 after the fall of the Iron Curtain. The formerly restricted area north of the Thaya in the Czech Republic and the Austrian borderland on the south bank of the Thaya had prevented the interference of man and preserved an untouched nature. The Czech national park stretches from the city of Vranov up to Znaim and covers a area of 6,300 ha.

The valley of the Thaya is one of the last near-natural river basin landscapes of Central Europe and one of the most beautiful water gaps of Austria. It is unique among the other Austrian national parks and in Europe as to the geo-morphological phenomenon of a distinct meander core. It is the contrast of elements which constitutes the enchanting beauty of this natural landscape.

Belonging geologically to the Bohemian Massif, the landscape is marked by crystalline rocks with steep wooded slopes and meanders cutting deeply into the plain. The gentle forms of the Bohemian Massif are steeply interrupted by water courses, the high plateau is dissected by canyons with jagged and bizarre rock formations.

“Real” primeval forest with botanical rarities

The National Park Thayatal, like its neighbouring Park Podyji is marked by an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems and species. Up to now, 1,287 plant species, 152 bird species and 60 mammal species could be counted and observed. Endangered species like the otter, the peregrine falcon, the honey buzzard, the Aesculapian snake, the Apollo butterfly of the Thaya valley or the green lizard are as indigenous as the rare black stork.

Of major ecological importance are the natural forests: on the slopes of the Thaya canyon we find linden trees, and in the hollows red beech. In the middle and upper slopes there grow hornbeam and gnarly oak. The very steep slopes are partly covered with “real” primeval forest. A botanical rarity are also the silicate dry meadows, to be found mainly on steep rocky slopes or rock tablelands. Among the very rare plants are also different kinds of orchids.

Director of the Austrian National Park Administration in Hardegg is Robert Brunner. He emphasised upon his nomination that the National Park Thayatal should serve nature conservation, education and recreation, but that it should also give momentum to regional development and tourism.

Closer co-operation between Austria and the Czech Republic

In addition, Austria and the Czech Republic have signed a declaration last year that will provide the basis for closer co-operation in the protection, administration and further development of the National Parks in the Thaya valley. This mainly includes measures relating to natural landscape management, to managing and looking after visitors, to science and research and to guarding of the national parks.

Thomas Rötröckl, the head of the Czech National Park Podyji, hopes that the creation of a transboundary region will lead to more European investment in bilateral projects: “What we absolutely need are funds for a very important measures: for fighting the weeds that proliferate in the basin and that gradually destroy the indigenous fauna. This, of course, has to be approached on a transboundary basis”.

Greater co-operation between Austria and the Czech Republic will also lead to the creation of new information signposts showing the visitors the sights of the other national park, the duration of hiking tours, the marking of transboundary roads, and also on the newly created hiking and cycling routes. And although about 100,000 visitors are expected to come every year, nature will not be damaged, since eco-tourism is being implemented.
(Source: aqua press Int. 02/2000)
Manuela Prusa

Information & Contact:
Nationalpark Thayatal GmbH
Badgasse 8
A-2082 Hardegg
Tel. +43 2949 7005
Fax +43 2949 7005-50