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Vranov ptygmatic folds – detail

Solid-tubered corydalis

Lesser Celandine

Isopyrum

Common lungwort

Hepatica

Yellow Wood Anemone

Blindworm

Carrion crow

Dipper

Alpine Accentor

Peregrine falcon

Common toad

Lesser Horseshoe Bat

Red Squirrel

Ground beetle - Carabus intricatus

Fire Salamander

Grass Snake

Natural Environment of Vranov

Above the road leading from the part of Vranov called Přední Hamry to Zadní Hamry, steep, almost vertical hard rocks loom - these aesthetically impressive walls are built of hard igneous granite, which gushed out and hardened under the layer of older rocks. A great tectonic pressure occurring in the Proterozoic, some 800 million years ago, arranged the rocks in layers, and turned the granite into orthogneiss. At the same place, as well as on the rock on which the chateau is built, and on the boulders and stones built in the bulwark by the Crow Tower, we can find a unique geological rarity - the so-called ptygmatic folds. They are clearly visible as zigzag light stripes of the orthogneiss between the dark, almost black stripes of amphibolite (methamorphic rock of amphibole and feldspar). These folds, the length of which varies from several centimetres to almost thirty metres, did not result from the tectonic pressure. The high temperatures and pressure in the Earth's depth caused the rocks to become plastic to semi-liquid, and the so-called Bíteš orthogneiss penetrated the cracks and crevices between the layers of the older amphibolite, and became zigzagy and curved after surpassing the pressure. The folding happened in several consecutive phases some 700 to 300 million years ago.

Another interesting geological phenomena in the Vranov region are the so-called Ice caves, which can be found on the rocky outcrop between the meanders of the Thaya river. The rock consists of crosswise cracked Bíteš orthogneiss. The river quickly cut through the rock creating a deep valley with steep rock faces, and the rock became unstable. Three large debris cones remained here, with some huge rock blocks weighing up to several tens of tonnes. The system of the vertical crevasses resulted in the establishment of the caves, some of which are connected by large open spaces. The biggest one is 200 metres long and 60 metres high. The smaller cavities hold snow and ice long until late spring. Interesting phenomenon here are the ice "decorations" in the deeper parts of the crevasses, which can be found in some cavities in the debris cones as well. The ice originates from water melting in spring, which penetrates deep into the underground spaces, where it freezes on the cool stone blocks. The deepest underground cavities are probably permanently filled with ice. The temperature in the accessible caves varies between -8°C to +6°C.

One of the main natural characteristics of Vranov is its submontane climate. As a result of the influence of the nearby Braitava ridge and the inverted situation within the deep river valley, the local climate shows quite unusual characteristics. The temperature on Braitava hill is usually around 7°C. Average precipitation reaches some 620 mm.

The botanical interest of Vranov and its surroundings is varied. The valley and its surrounding slopes are covered with oak and hornbeam deciduous forests with occasional lindens, while beech forests with firs, maples, sycamores, and yews dominate the northern slopes. On the rocky outcrops some sparse pine groves can be found, and Braitava hosts rare primeval beech forests. Acacia trees, which are not native here, dominate the vegetation in the close vicinity of the chateau. The brush undergrowth consists mainly of the burning bush (Euonymus verrucosus) and hazel. The combination of species in the forest almost exactly corresponds with the natural potential of the area. The herbaceous layer is characterised for example by the common primrose, fumewort, lungwort, liverwort, or vetchling. We can also found the rare purple sowbread here, as well as martagon lily, and sweet mezereon. Interesting plant societies grow close to the Ice Caves, which include also some protected and endangered species - e.g. the rare thick-root sedge, relict false baneberry, nine-leaved toothwort, mountain rose, the yellow-flowering fine monk's hood, Jupiter's distaff, scabious (Knautia drymeia), and variegated knapweed. Braitava hosts some habitats of perennial honesty - a typical plant of submontane forests. In spring the surrounding rocks, as well as all the chateau bulwarks, are covered with the yellow flowering golden alyssum, and the rock by the Crow Tower is the home to the great pasque flower.

The interesting and varied fauna includes many mammal species - for example the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), pygmy shrew, common souslik, common squirrel, edible dormouse, common hamster, red fox, badger, stone marten, polecat, roe deer, red deer, wild boar, etc. Directly in the chateau cellars and in the attics, colonies of bats roost every winter - the bat species include also the lesser horseshoe bat, large mouse-eared bat, Geoffrey's bat, Bechstein's bat, barbastelle bat, and grey long-eared bat.

There are also a few reptile species, such as the green lizard, slowworm, and several grass snake species. What is interesting is mainly the occurrence of the Aesculapian snake, which can grow up to two metres in length, and was spotted in the Felicity's valley below the castle.

Nesting birds include species of tits, larks, woodpeckers, common sparrows, spotted woodpeckers, greenfinches, siskins, hawfinches, chaffinches, and others. The rocks below the chapel are the home of the long-eared owl, and swifts or kestrels also like to build their nests; kestrels can be seen nesting in the inaccessible parts of the main chateau facade (its southern side). Goshawks are also sometimes spotted flying here, as well as hen harriers; stock doves nest in old hollow trees, and mute swans regularly winter near both the bridges in the village. The Felicity's valley is home to the rare red-breasted flycatchers, as well as black storks, and many more other bird species.

Amphibians are represented mainly by the salamander, which can be seen also on the forest paths leading to the chateau on rainy days. Directly within the perimeter of the chateau complex there are numerous common and green toads, which tend to migrate in great numbers, and if the season is very rainy, hundreds of toads can be seen hopping along the bridge and both the courtyards.

Numbers and variety of fish species living in the Thaya river depend mainly on the artificial introduction of fish and fishing sports. The Vranov reservoir is a home to carp, zander, pike, as well as catfish (a catfish weighing 94 kg and 244 cm long was caught there in 1994). Vimba bream live in the top end of the reservoir, as well as the now rare spirlin and Danubian salmon. There are also two species of clams - the swollen river mussel and the painter's mussel, the shells of which were originally used for the production of pearl buttons (e.g. in the nearby Austrian Hardegg). What is interesting is the absence of fish in the section of the river between the dam to the weir below the castle where an old mill used to stand, and where only oxygen-free water flows from the turbines.

Insect species are also found here in great variety. Many protected species can be found in these locations, such as the clouded Apollo butterfly, two species of longhorned beetle (Cerambyx cerdo, Purpuricenus kaehleri) as well as some interesting species of neuropterous insects such as the ant-lion, and an interesting beetle living on the oaks at Braitava (Sinodendron cylindricum).

The Vranov chateau with the nearby area of Braitava belong to Zone I of the National Park Podyjí, which is the most strictly protected one, and where the natural environment shows only minor impacts of human activity. Natural processes occur spontaneously here, and the territory is in a relatively ecologically stable condition. Vranov, and therefore the western edge of the National Park, lie in Zones II and II, as well as do the peripheral protective zones of the National Park. More information on www.nppodyji.cz. For details on the Austrian Thayatal national park situated on the opposite bank of the Dyje river, please visit www.np-thayatal.at.