THAYATAL NATIONAL PARK- AUSTRIA
Hardegg, Austria’s smallest community, opened the joint Czech-Austrian international park Thavatal.
The Thayatal is one of Austria’s finest rocky valleys. On the Austrian banks of the Thaya, 3,500 acres of natural riverside forest have been preserved intact. On the Czech side, a 1,600-acre National Park Podyji opened in 1991 in the area between Vranov and Znojmo.
The Thaya valley is home to many endangered animal species including black storks, peregrine falcons, crested newts and green lizards. The osprey is also a frequent visitor. The area’s deciduous forests, which have largely been left in their natural state, are a particularly valuable ecological feature: lime trees grow on the rocky flanks of the valley and copper-beeches in the hollows. On dry meadows, rare plants can be found, such as the multi-colored iris. The region’s cultural attractions include the fortified medieval castle of Hard-egg, currently the site of an exhibition on the ill-fated 19th century Hapsburg Emperor Maximilian.
It is hoped that “gentle tourism will bring a much needed economic revival to the region. A 36-km cycling track runs through the Austrian and Czech sections of the National Park.
Austria Travel