Ponds

Prekmurje, the flat northeastern corner of Slovenia beside the Hungarian and Austrian borders, is a land of water as well as fields. The plain of the Mura and its tributaries was once marshy and prone to flooding, and over the centuries people dug ditches, drained meadows and created ponds, some of them for keeping fish, some for supplying water to livestock and mills, and some simply from old gravel and clay pits that filled with water. Today the ponds are scattered through the countryside, among fields, meadows and small woods, and they add much to the scenery and to the ecology of the region. Information on individual ponds is limited, so visitors who want a particular one should ask locally.

Fish farming was part of the tradition. Carp has long been the main fish of Central European ponds, and it was raised in shallow, warm ponds that were drained and harvested in autumn, a custom that continues in many parts of the Pannonian plain and gives rise to autumn fish festivals and carp dishes. Ponds also had a place in village life as watering places and washing places and, in winter, as natural skating rinks. In recent decades many have been restored or used for sport fishing, and some have been turned into small leisure areas with paths and benches.

The ponds are valuable for wildlife. The shallow water, reed beds and marshy edges provide habitat for herons, egrets, ducks, grebes, lapwings and many other birds, as well as for frogs, newts, dragonflies and water plants. The region's white storks forage in wet meadows and shallow water, and during the spring and autumn migrations flocks of waterfowl rest in the area. Birdwatchers will find the early morning and the evening the most rewarding times, when the light is soft and the birds are active, and a pair of binoculars is a useful companion. Visitors should keep a distance from nesting birds, avoid disturbing the reeds and keep dogs under control.

Many ponds are close to village centres or reachable on cycling routes, and some have paths around them, which makes a short walk easy. The flat landscape suits cyclists, and routes connect ponds, villages and farms with the thermal spas, the floating mill and the other sights of Prekmurje. Regional food is part of the pleasure, with fish dishes, bograč and gibanica often on local menus, and tourist farms offer rooms and meals.

The ponds suit families, birdwatchers, anglers and photographers. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for birds, and sunrise and sunset give the best light. Fishing normally requires a permit, and rules differ from pond to pond, so check before casting a line.