Today, Andy and I took a walk along the Heřmanický Pond Nature Trail. This Trail is known for its bungalows above the water. The Heřmanický Pond (116 ha) is unique because of its specific composition of highly mineralized water. The water contains boron and iodine, which are pumped into the pond from the depth of the Ostrava-Karviná mines. The area of the former Heřmanice Mine (formerly known as Red October) with its monumental heap is walking distance from the pond. Despite its high level of mineralization, fish thrive in this pond. Therefore, many fishermen have taken advantage of this and have built about 70 huts on the surface of the pond. These huts are joined to pond bank by narrow walkways and these walkways oftentimes have drawbridges.
Apart from fish and fishermen, birds also thrive here. You can observe up to 250 different species of birds around the pond, including some very rare ones. The area around the pond is also paradise for amphibians.
Afterwards, we set off to see the Christmas markets at Masaryk Square in Ostrava to try some Christmas punch and to soak in the Christmas atmosphere during the second Sunday of Advent.
