Established by Decree of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Socialist Republic No. 14/1989 Coll. of 27 January 1989, as amended by Act of the National Council of the Slovak Republic No. 287/1994 Coll.
Address:
Správa CHKO Strážovské vrchy
(Administration of the Strážovské vrchy PLA)
Orlové 189
017 01 Považská Bystrica
Web:
https://chkostrazovskevrchy.sopsr.sk
Tel.:
042 432 28 02
HOT LINE:
0911 485 253
Area of operation: the Protected Landscape Area, the districts of Bytča, Ilava, Považská Bystrica and Púchov.
The Strážovské vrchy Protected Landscape Area is situated in central Slovakia and comprises two geomorphological units: Strážovské vrchy mountains and Súľovské vrchy mountains.
All three major Sub-Tatras nappes: the Krížna nappe, Choč nappe, and Strážov nappe are preserved in Strážovské vrchy mountains. These nappes are composed predominantly of carbonate rocks, particularly limestones and dolostones. The characteristic lithology of the Súľovské skaly rocks is Súľov conglomerate, a distinctive coarse-grained sedimentary rock.
The predominant naturally occurring forest communities are beech forests. The most widespread forest habitat is represented by calcareous beech forests, which have their main centre of distribution in Slovakia in Strážovské vrchy mountains. At the highest elevations, around the summit of Strážov (1,213 m a.s.l.), mountain maple–beech forests occur. Herb-rich beech and fir–beech forests are also widespread in the area. The stands of downy oak in the Podhradská dolina valley are particularly noteworthy.
The flora of the area is characterised by a rich and diverse calcareous flora, comprising both thermophilous (Pannonian) and montane (Carpathian) species. The summit areas of Súľovské skaly rocks, Manínska tiesňava gorge, Podskalský Roháč, Strážov and Vápeč are particularly noteworthy for their floristically diverse rock vegetation. The greatest diversity of montane species occurs around the summit of Strážov, while thermophilous species are particularly abundant in the Podhradská dolina valley. In Manínska tiesňava gorge and Súľovské skaly rocks, montane species occur at relatively low elevations due to the cool local microclimate. The area is home to several West Carpathian endemic species, including Holuby’s bee orchid, the glossy pink, the early pink, the intermediate pasque flower, Manín monkshood, Carpathian snowbell, and one-stemmed brome. Thanks to its calcareous bedrock, the Strážovské vrchy mountains are also characterised by an exceptionally rich diversity of species belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae).
The fauna of the area consists predominantly of species characteristic of the deciduous forest zone, with fewer species associated with open steppe habitats. Rare species include the scarce swallowtail and the Apollo butterfly, as well as the Old World swallowtail and the scarce swallowtail. In addition to the alpine longhorn beetle, another rare beetle found in the area is Carabus montivagus. The area is home to the alpine newt, smooth snake, northern viper, peregrine falcon, and, occasionally, the golden eagle and black stork. Extensively managed meadows provide habitat for the corncrake. The brown cellar spider has been recorded at grass-covered xerothermic sites. Among the large carnivores, the brown bear and Eurasian lynx occur in the area. The emblem of the Protected Landscape Area features the silhouette of a Eurasian eagle-owl. The village of Čičmany, with its well-preserved wooden buildings richly decorated with ornamental motifs inspired by traditional local folk embroidery, also forms an integral and harmonious part of the protected landscape area.