Lake Mácha

Lake Mácha, originally named Big Fishpond, was created in 1367 by King Charles IV for breeding fish. In 1622 it was bought by Adam of Valdštejna and the Valdštejn family were its owners until 1920, when it was bought by the municipality of Doksy. It was named Lake Mácha in the late 19^th century after the poet K. H. Mácha, who was inspired and motivated by the romantic landscape around the fishpond – his famous May (Máj) is set near the lake. However, the local Germans did not like the name and called it Hirschberger See instead, after the German name for Doksy. The Big The fishpond was officially renamed Lake Mácha as late as 1961. It appears in the best-known Czech comic book Čtyřlístek as well, under the name “Blaťák”, because the author of the comic Jaroslav Němeček was very fond of the region.

Lake Mácha has a surface area of 284 hectares and is the eighth largest fishpond in the Czech Republic. Its dam is 9 metres wide and 130 metres long. The fishpond is supplied by water from two brooks: Robeč Brook and Břehyně Brook from the nearby Břehyně Fishpond. There are two islets in the lake: Mouse Islet and Duck Islet. Access to the islets is forbidden because they are important ornithological sites. The national natural monument Swamp is located on the eastern and northern banks, protecting the remains of the original peat bogs.

Lake Mácha, popularly called Mácháč, is now a popular tourist destination; the local tradition of spa summer holidays in Doksany dates from the 19^th century. There are two famous recreational centres there: Doksy and Staré Splavy. It has many visitors, especially in summer, but also in winter months.