Embrace the Great Outdoors: Unleash Your Adventure and Shake Off Boredom in Nature’s Bliss!

Nature houses are the entry points to protected zones and other key conservation areas. These facilities serve as contemporary visitor centers featuring interactive displays that educate about the respective locations, and they offer visitors organized excursions as well as educational programs for both kids and adults. Many nature houses also have a 3D cinema and a shop that sells local products. While there are information centers in certain areas, they typically only operate during specific seasons. At present, there are 15 nature houses, with the newest additions being the Pálava Nature House, the Jizera Mountains Nature House, the Hodonín Dúbrava Nature House, and the White Carpathians Nature House.

Diverse Scenery: Pálava Protected Landscape Area’s Nature House

The Pálava Nature House, located in Dolní Věstonice and opened in June 2024, is the visitor center for the Pálava Protected Landscape Area. The modern exhibit highlights the rich variety of rare plant and animal species found in the region and demonstrates how humans have influenced the landscape through agriculture over thousands of years. The Pálava Nature House was constructed by significantly renovating and expanding a site that was previously an archaeological museum. The original historic structure now serves as the museum’s behind-the-scenes area, while the exhibition is housed in a newly created underground facility. The main section showcases several hundred displays—ranging from illustrations and photographs to taxidermy, zoological specimens, and plants preserved in resin, along with bird sounds—highlighting the amazing ecological variety found in Pálava and explaining the origins behind it. Visitors can also explore the history of Mušov, a town that was submerged by one of the Novomlýn reservoirs in the last century, through witness accounts and historical materials. Short films, informational texts, and photographs reveal the significance of scientific knowledge, particularly in relation to forestry and viticulture. Centrally located in the exhibition space is a 3D model of Pálava and its surroundings—visual projections and interactive elements focus on the history of human habitation. Additionally, a large aquarium features several fish species typical of the nearby Dyje River.

Experiencing the Jizera Mountains: Nature House of the Jizera Mountains

The Nature House of the Jizera Mountains opened its doors in May 2024 and is situated in the tranquil village of Oldřichov v Hájích, serving as the entrance to the Jizera Mountains located to the north of Liberec. The area offers a natural history exhibit titled “Jizera Mountains with All Senses“, set within a charming half-timbered farmstead. The surrounding landscape includes meadows, forests, and the Jeřice stream, all utilized in our educational initiatives. By engaging your sense of sound, touch, sight, and smell, you can uncover fascinating insights about the forests, peat bogs, and underground features of the Jizera Mountains. You can even test your new knowledge with a quiz. The exhibition is designed for everyone, especially families with children and school groups. The Nature House offers organized guided tours to various locations in the Jizera Mountains (a UNESCO site), including Paličník, along with family hiking trips to view the local wildlife, and excursions for those who admire flora. Popular suburban camps for children are also arranged.

Bohemian Karst and White Carpathians Nature House

The Nature House of the Bohemian Karst is located near the Koněprus Caves (which opened in March 2024) within the geologically significant area of the Kotýz and Zlatý kůň National Natural Monuments, situated above the quarry known as Čertovy schody (Devil’s Steps). This permanent exhibition is designed to inform and entertain visitors. People will be captivated by the story of the trilobite’s origins, the formation of karst landscapes, and the exploration of caves. It reveals how the current landscape and nature of the Bohemian Karst have been shaped by human activity over a long period. Visitors can learn about the local protected species of animals and plants and the importance of their conservation. Various engaging activities, hands-on experiments, themed areas, and an artificial cave to climb through are also available.

In Bartolomějské náměstí in Veselí nad Moravou, nature enthusiasts can discover the Nature House of the White Carpathians, which also opened in March 2024. This exhibition aims to playfully introduce visitors to the region’s wildlife (using all their senses), showcasing the area’s orchid meadows, and fruit groves and orchards rich in flora and fauna diversity. Special focus is placed on the White Carpathian meadows, among the most species-rich communities worldwide. The exhibition titled Above Ground and Underground highlights the vibrant life found in soil and its critical significance for existence above ground. Both young and old visitors will enjoy discovering a water feature or finding a hidden treasure trove of nature tales narrated by Pavel Bezděčka himself, who contributed twenty stories. Supporting the exhibitions is a rare tree snake on display.

The Nature House of Brda: Discovering Natural Treasures and History

In July 2023, the eagerly anticipated Nature House of Brda was inaugurated at the Tři trubky hunting lodge, thanks to the cooperation between Vojenské lesy a statky, s.p., the Agency for Nature and Landscape Conservation of the Czech Republic, and the municipality of Strašice, marking the establishment of the most recent protected landscape area in the Czech Republic. Brdy is a significant expanse of mountain forests in central Bohemia that has been altered and utilized by humans for centuries yet remains uninhabited. Even in this seemingly inhospitable zone of the rocky and sparse Brdy Mountains lies precious resources—water, wood, serene and expansive moorlands, peat bogs, stony landscapes, and flourishing meadows. The permanent exhibition is organized into three main themes and is introduced by two mascots: the Brdský ant and the benevolent spirit Fabián. The first chapter explores the seasonal changes and transformations of the highland nature. Another section, titled Brdy Military, transports you back a century in time. This part features a bunker integrated within the exhibit, from which video projections are shown through its loopholes. From here, you will proceed to discover more about the Army’s management of the Military Forests and Estates. Additionally, treasure chests evoke interest in the region’s most significant natural wonders.

Exploring a Charming Traditional Farmhouse: The Nature House of the Žďár Hills

A less well-known gem is the Nature House of the Žďár Hills, which was established in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Žďár Hills Protected Landscape Area. The charming registered farmhouse, complete with a barn, has been restored in a traditional style—the roof is adorned with larch shingles, and the building features lime plaster with wooden and brick floors. A permanent exhibition titled The Transformation of the Landscape is on display on the ground floor, while the attic is designed for educational purposes and environmental education. The exterior includes a country garden with a newly planted orchard showcasing various fruit tree species. Additionally, a 3D film, along with numerous video clips and animations, has been created to highlight the nature of the Žďár Hills. The farmhouse, informally known as Farmhouse No. 2, is believed by historians to date back to the 18th century and previously encompassed several hectares of fields and a handful of cows, situated in the village of Krátká near Sněžné.

First of its Kind: The Nature House of Třeboň

Initiated in the year 2010, an exhibit showcasing the landscape filled with silvery ponds, intriguing marshes, sand dunes, deep woodlands, oak-lined paths, and lovely village scenes was established in Třeboň. The Nature House of the Třeboň Region is acknowledged as the first Nature House in the Czech Republic. Centrally located in Třeboň, within the grounds of the State Chateau Třeboň, the entrance is highlighted by a pond featuring a wooden installation titled “Old and New River.” This center, dedicated to the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve, offers insights into local nature, nature trails, and attractions for tourists in the scenic landscape. In the permanent exhibition known as Landscape and People, you can explore the historical context of nature and the landscape in the Třeboň region, along with fun and educational experiences for both young and old. In just an hour, you will gather information about the history of fish farming, the spa industry, and the overall landscape of the Třeboň region. Exciting surprises await, including the chance to climb into a 300-year-old oak tree or discover small creatures in their burrows. The exhibition features six thematically organized rooms equipped with interactive video kiosks offering short engaging films. A highlight is the Schwarzenberg Fridge from the early 20th century, displayed in the kitchen of Třeboň castle.

Additional Nature Houses:

• • Nearby Krasovice, beneath Velký Blaník mountain, you will find the Blaník Nature House. This center introduces visitors to the natural wonders of the Blaník Protected Landscape Area and the National Geopark in the Region of the Knights of Blanik, alongside the legendary Sleeping Army.

• • Located within the Bohemian Forest Protected Landscape Area, the Bohemian Forest Nature House can be found in Klenčí pod Čerchovem, in a historically rich wooded region.

• • In a building that once served as a school, the Bohemian Paradise House of Nature in Dolánky u Turnova No. 9 offers visitors a unique display, focusing on sensory experiences to showcase the phenomena of the oldest protected landscape area in the Czech Republic, while also aiming to instill respect for this unique environment.

• • Don’t miss the distinctive outdoor gallery in Horka nad Moravou known as the Nature House of Litovel Pomoraví. This space comprises buildings and installations that serve as meeting points with nature and other visitors while remaining open for your exploration. The installations were designed by notable Czech artists like František Skála and Miloš Šejn, making it a natural gateway to the experiences in Litovelsko Pomoraví.

• • A modern visitor center, the House of Nature of the Moravian Karst is situated in the heart of Moravian Karst at Skalní mlýn, an ideal starting point for exploring the Punkva Caves and the world-renowned Macocha Abyss.

• • The Poodří landscape has been molded by two powerful forces: water and humanity. Over the years, humans have mastered floodplain farming while learning to respect these water elements. This coexistence has resulted in a beautifully sculpted river landscape characterized by expansive meadows, ponds, and scattered greenery where both common and rare species of plants and animals find a home. Explore more at the Poodří Nature House, which also houses an animal rescue station.

• • At the visitor center Nature House of the Slavkov Forest located on Kladská Street, visitors are introduced to the natural and cultural attractions and values of the Slavkov Forest Protected Landscape Area. Information on nature trails, tourist attractions, and natural features of the Slavkov Forest is readily available. You can also get assistance in planning walks or bike rides or obtain materials and maps for exploring the Protected Landscape Area.

Key Features

• Educational Exhibits:

  • Interactive displays on regional wildlife, native plants and geological formations

  • Exhibits on human impact and cultural legends tied to the landscape

• Hands-On Activities:

  • Nature walks and wildlife observation excursions

  • Interactive video kiosks with engaging films

  • Suburban camps and workshops for children

• Outreach & Access:

  • Act as information hubs for nearby protected areas

  • Focus on both youth and adult learning

Notable Nature Houses

1. Pálava Nature House

   • Showcases the diversity of native plants and animals

   • Explains how human activity has shaped the landscape over centuries

2. House of Nature of the Hodonín Dúbrava

   • Regional exhibitions highlighting local flora and fauna

3. House of Nature of the White Carpathians

   • Displays on endemic species and traditional landscape management

4. House of Nature of the Jizera Mountains

   • Offers educational programs, nature walks, wildlife observation trips

   • Runs suburban camps targeting children’s nature education

5. House of Nature of the Moravian Karst

   • Explores karst formation, cave discoveries, and local biodiversity

6. Blaník Nature House

   • Integrates the legend of the Blaník Knights into its exhibition

   • Highlights the geopark’s geological and cultural heritage

7. Nature House of Brda

   • Exhibitions on the area’s natural treasures and military history

8. Nature House of Třeboň Region

   • Interactive video kiosks with films about regional ecosystems

   • Offers a range of fun, family-friendly activities