Hrastovec Ponds

The Hrastovec Ponds lie in the village of Hrastovec, west of Lenart in the Slovenske gorice hills, on the northern part of the wooded Hrastovenjak plateau. The ponds once belonged to the Herberstein counts, who also owned nearby Lake Komarnik. Since 1992, the area has been protected as a natural monument because it provides important habitat for threatened plant and animal species.

Reeds, cattails and floating vegetation grow around the water, offering shelter to fish and other aquatic animals. Notable plants include white water lilies, water caltrops and floating marshwort. Ducks nest at the ponds, and grey herons can also be seen along the water.

The ponds are divided into four sections and are also used for recreational fishing. Carp, pike and zander are among the fish found here. The Hrastovec Ponds combine a long history of fish farming with a present-day role in nature conservation. Their distinctive character comes not only from the water itself, but especially from the diversity of life among the aquatic plants.