Obora Hvězda (Star Game Reserve) is a forest park (formerly a royal game reserve) in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, which is now protected as a natural monument. It is located about west of the city centre, surrounded by the neighbourhoods of Liboc (N), Břevnov (E), Bílá Hora (SW) and Ruzyně (W).

The first mention of the forest, originally called Malejov, dates from 993, when duke Boleslaus II donated it to the newly established Břevnov Monastery. It was transformed into a walled game reserve during rule of Ferdinand I in the mid-16th century. The current name (hvězda being Czech for "star") derives from the Star Summer Palace, a 16th-century building, which stands in middle of the forest. The Battle of White Mountain took place on fields in the W/SW vicinity of the game reserve in 1620.

Obora Hvězda

Nowadays part of the site is designated as a Natura 2000 protected site due to the presence of the narrow-mouthed whorl snail (Vertigo angustior).

Obora Hvězda

The site is home to several bird species including the Middle Spotted Woodpecker.

Obora Hvězda

External links

Obora Hvězda (The Hvězda Game Preserve) Natural Monument

Prague's Green Spaces: Quick guide to visiting Obora Hvězda

Czech Society for Ornithology: Birding in Prague

Special Areas of Conservation

Natural monuments in the Czech Republic

Forests of the Czech Republic

Parks in Prague