Surroundings

Ecofarm

Ecofarm Ostrov is situated at the entrance to Veľkolélsky ostrov Island at the river Danube near Komárno town. Farm is easily accessible for visitors coming in these area on international cycling trail (Eurovelo 6) or water trails. Original farmstead lies in the settlement Veľký Lél as part of the village Zlatná na Ostrove.

Island

The Island is part of several protected areas – Protected landscape area Dunajské luhy, international wetland – Ramsar locality Dunajské luhy as well as part of Natura 2000 sites. Floodplain forests Dunajské luhy as part of the inland delta between Bratislava and Komárno towns are the important centre for biodiversity. In spite of human interventions this area represents a rare ecosystem that is thanks to the flood activity is always in change.

Three kilometers long Veľkolélsky ostrov island lying at the Danube near Komárno town is with its total area of more than 250 hectares known as one of the last large Danube islands in Slovakia. Human economic activity is tightly connected with nature and unrestrained wilderness of floodplains. The island represents a unique mosaic of forest, wetland and grass habitats. From one side it is bordered by a wide Danube river-basin and from the other side by relatively wide Veľkolélske rameno branch. Since 2008 traditional grazing of cattle has been reestablished (which had ended here in 90-ties) and flocks of cows, sheep, goats and horses are freely moving across lowland meadows. Landscape value of the Island is also increased by an old solitary oaks in the middle of meadows and the borders are lined by tall poplars and pollard willows. Natural forest habitats are left on self-development within the wildwood nature reserve in the highest (5th) level of protection, The island is an ornithological paradise too – you can see herons and cormorants here flying from a nearby nesting colony to search for food. You may also spot sandmartins, white and black storks or our largest bird predator White taled eagle circling above the island.

Zlatná na Ostrove

The name of the village Zlatná na Ostrove (Csallóközaranyos-in Hungarian) or Locus Aureus (as mentioned in the first reference about the village in 1094) suggest that it was common for people to wash gold here in the past. Danube waters created meander in this place where large amount of gold used to settle down in the gravel. Even today if you are lucky enough you may spot few small gold parts in the sand of Danube river.