There is only one place in the Highlands where you will find saffrons

Imagine a place where time stops for a moment and nature shows its purest beauty. Such a place exists and is located in Vysočina, near New Town in Moravia. The small but exceptional meadow near Bezděkov is home to thousands of rare white-flowered saffrons, which makes it a unique natural monument in the entire Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

White-flowered crocuses (Crocus albiflorus) are perennial herbs that reach a height of about 15 cm. These fragile flowers, usually shining in white, but sometimes also in purple or heather color, can usually be found in wetter mountain pastures and meadows in Šumava or in the Novohradské hory. In the Highlands, they are found in only one place, right here near Nové Město in Moravia.

The story of the white-flowered saffron near Bezděkov is full of mysteries and history. While their exact original distribution in the Czech Republic is a matter of debate, most likely these crocuses are not the original inhabitants of the given location. Rumors tell of various ways they could have gotten here, from theories of their planting as a rare spice in the 17th century to romantic tales of Napoleonic soldiers who unwittingly brought the seeds with hay for their horses.

Due to the changeable weather in the Žďárské vrchy, where sunny days alternate with rain, crocuses sometimes develop into full bloom later in the season. However, this does not detract from their beauty, on the contrary, it adds to the uniqueness and charm of these moments. Every year, these fragile beauties attract many visitors to the meadow near Bezděkov, who come to enjoy the sight of this wonderful natural spectacle.

So don’t hesitate and add this trip to your list of planned adventures. Vysočina invites you to explore its beautiful landscape and to admire the fragile beauty of these messengers of spring in the meadow near Bezděkov.