Hartberg Gmoos

Hartberg Gmoos is a natural reserve in eastern Styria, Austria, that was once a lake but has now become a wetland with rich biodiversity. It is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas in Europe.

Hartberg Gmoos is a unique natural attraction that offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the diverse flora and fauna of a former lake. The area covers about 40 hectares and is home to more than 500 plant species and 150 bird species, as well as amphibians, reptiles, insects, and mammals. The wetland is also an important habitat for endangered and rare species, such as the European pond turtle, the marsh fritillary butterfly, the Eurasian bittern, and the purple loosestrife.

The history of Hartberg Gmoos dates back to the Ice Age, when a glacier carved out a basin that later filled with water. The lake gradually silted up over thousands of years, creating a marshy landscape that was used for agriculture and fishing by the local people. In the 19th century, the area was drained and cultivated, but some parts remained wet and swampy. In the 1970s, the municipality of Hartberg decided to preserve the natural value of the area and declared it a protected zone. Since then, various measures have been taken to restore and enhance the ecological functions of the wetland, such as removing invasive plants, creating ponds and ditches, and installing observation platforms and information boards.

Today, Hartberg Gmoos is a popular destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, hikers, and cyclists. A circular trail of about 4 kilometers leads around the wetland, offering scenic views and educational insights into the world of ecology. Along the way, visitors can learn about the different habitats and species that inhabit the area, such as reed beds, meadows, forests, and orchards. The trail also features interactive stations, such as a water wheel, a sundial, and a sound tube, that invite visitors to explore and experiment with natural phenomena.

Hartberg Gmoos is not only a place of recreation and education, but also a place of inspiration and culture. The wetland has been the subject of various artistic and scientific projects, such as exhibitions, workshops, concerts, and publications. One of the most notable examples is the “Gmoos Art” project, which involved local and international artists creating artworks in and around the wetland, using natural materials and reflecting on the themes of nature, culture, and identity.