Shaped by the Human Hand

Home , Briesen (Spreewald), Burg (Spreewald), Guhrow, Neu Zauche, Schlepzig, Spree

Arrowhead Ministerium für Ländliche Entwicklung, Umwelt und Landwirtschaft A landscape like a park

Some hundred years ago, the Spreewald with its streams totalling nearly 979 miles (1,575 km) in length still was largely a forested area. Legend has it that the streams originated when the Devil’s oxen bolted, dragging the plough and creating deep furrows behind them. The people in the region laboured hard to convert this jungle into fields and meadows. They formed the park-like landscape that constitutes the particular charm of the Spreewald. Yet the next generation Blue European otter Black stork will only be able to experience this patchwork landscape Darner if people undertake to ensure its preservation. This is why Spreewald locals who cooperate with the biosphere reserve to preserve their home established in 2007 the community foundation “Kulturlandschaft Spreewald”. It explores new Biodiversity hoopoe that likes to nest in the cavities of old trees and, of approaches to preserving and sustainably developing the course, the white stork, a typical synanthropic bird. Spreewald landscape – shaped by the human hand and yet The still so remarkable biodiversity in this landscape, so very An abundance of water plants, including various pondweeds, Shaped by the human near-natural. Tourism, previously generating only an addi- worthy of preservation, cannot exist without water. This arrowhead, water starwort and water lilies, populate the tional income to agriculture, now has become an important element in particular characterises the Spreewald flora and streams, unless slim alders, mighty poplars and other trees hand economic mainstay for the people living in the biosphere fauna. 6,000 animal and plant species have been verified in cast their shadows on the shorelines. The improved water A unique landscape in Central Europe is located about 62 reserve. Each year, some 4 million tourists visit the region. the biosphere reserve. About a quarter of the 1,600 identified quality resulting from the filter effect of the Spreewald is miles (100 km) southeast of Berlin: the Spreewald. This is The aim is to use the cultural landscape in an environmentally plant species are on the Red List of Threatened Plants, includ- responsible for the presence of rare fish species such as bur- where as a result of the last ice age some 12,000 years ago sustainable manner together with the local population. This ing water caltrop (Trapa natans), sundew species (Drosera), bot in the near-natural sections. The Spreewald is also home the Spree river split into an intricate web of small streams, targets in particular the development of sustainable forms spotted orchids of the genus Dactylorhiza and other orchids. to brook lampreys. Specialised dragonfly species such as the creating a large inland delta. Today, these streams meander of land use. Here, the Spreewald farmers focus especially on The Spreewald fauna is equally rich. The number of verified green club-tailed dragonfly and the yellow-legged dragonfly through a landscape that was formed by humans for hundreds organic farming. Over 50 farms and about 70 percent of the species is impressive: 937 different species of butterflies, 113 are proof of increasingly ecologically intact water bodies. of years yet largely remains a near-natural meadow land- agricultural land in the biosphere reserve are being managed freshwater shells (bivalves) and snails, 52 species of dragon- scape that provides a habitat for numerous plant and animal according to organic farming principles. The majority of flies and damselflies, 36 species of fish and 61 mammal -spe species. Many of these have become extinct elsewhere or are farms have also rejected genetic modification in the Spree- cies have been recorded so far. The Spreewald is home to 152 Publisher: Ministry of Rural Development, Environment and Agriculture of the Federal State of Brandenburg endangered. This unique cultural landscape was designated wald production region. Organic farming produce includes of 217 Brandenburg breeding bird species. Editorial staff: Spreewald Biosphere Reserve in the Brandenburg State Office of Environment a biosphere reserve in 1990 and gained UNESCO approval in in particular milk and beef from happy cows, in addition to This diversity is due to the numerous habitat types present in Photographs: Bildarchiv Biosphärenreservat Spreewald, W. Albrecht, Spreewald St. Butzeck, B. Choritz, I. Hiekel, F. Hildebrand, E. Nowak, F. Schröder, March 1991. This means that the Spreewald Biosphere Re- vegetables and the famous Spreewald gherkin. the biosphere reserve, including various woodland communi- E. Schutt, G. Tosonowski, A. Weingardt, R. Weißflog, M. Werban Map: Pro Line Concept, Berlin Biosphere Reserve serve encompassing about 183 square miles (475 km²) forms The damage caused in the past by intensive agriculture and ties where black storks, cranes and white-tailed eagles find Design/Production: Power-DesignThing GmbH Printing: Landesvermessung und Geobasisinformation Brandenburg part of a global system currently encompassing some 670 forestry as well as opencast mining in Lusatia is likewise nesting sites. Meadows and fields are home to pollard willows This publication is printed on environmentally friendly paper. As of: August 2017 extensive reserves. About 50,000 people live in the cultural gradually being remedied. The Biosphere reserve carries and fruit-bearing trees as well as to bird species favouring landscape of the Spreewald, in 37 villages and the towns of special significance for stabilising the sensitive hydrological open landscapes. These include waders and marsh birds such The Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is part of “Nationale Naturlandschaf- ten” (National Natural Landscapes), the umbrella brand for German Biosphärenreservat Lübben, Lübbenau and Vetschau. balance and maintaining the typical habitats. as the common snipe and the Eurasian curlew, the Eurasian National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Nature Parks and Wilderness Areas, supported by the registered charity EUROPARC Germany. Spreewald l l

a a

n n

a a k k t t

u u

l l

f f f f

m m m m

U U U U

- - - -

e e e

m m m

m e e

h h h h S S

r r

a a a a fe fe D D r r o o d d n n e e u Spree u Spree e e Märkisch Märkisch N Alt Schadow N Alt Schadow Buchholz Buchholz

Gurkenradweg PlattkowGurkenradweg Plattkow e e m m h h Neuendorf Neuendorf a a D D am See am See Hohenbrück Neu Schadoww Hohenbrück Neu Schadoww ree ree p p S S r r e n e n n Pretschen e n Pretschen e e b e b h h a a

sc r sc r

g g g g

g g g

t g t

d d d

e d e

d d d

r d r

n n n n n n n P n P

a a

L L L L L L L Leibschch Leibschch L ener ener öth S öth S K ee K ee Köthen Köthen Neu Lübbenau Neu Lübbenau

Bückchen Bückchen Heide- Heide- seen Groß seen Groß Europa- Krausnicker WasserburgEuropa- Krausnicker Wasserburg 246 246 wanderweg wanderweg Kuschkow Kuschkow Gurkenradweg Gurkenradweg

Gröditsch Gröditsch Berge Berge

L a n d k r e i s LLuchsee a n d k r e i s Luchsee m m o o

tr tr

Spree Spree Spree Spree Puhls Puhls Dahme-SpreewaldDahme-SpreewaldKrausnick Krausnick Dürrenhofe Dürrenhofe Schlepzig KrugauSchlepzig Krugau Gurkenradweg Gurkenradweg

Meiereisee Meiereisee Biosphärenreservat Biosphärenreservat Spreewald Spreewald Petkamsberg Petkamsberg (Teichwirtschaft) (Teichwirtschaft) Zone I (Kernzone, Naturschutzgebiet) Zone I (Kernzone, Naturschutzgebiet) Zone II (Naturschutzgebiet) Zone II (Naturschutzgebiet)

87 87 Bugkgraben Bugkgraben Sp Sp ree ree

A13 A13 Biebersdorf Biebersdorf Schönwalde Schönwalde

Hartmannsdorf Hartmannsdorf Freiwalde Freiwalde Briesener Briesener Lubolz Lubolz See See

Kabelgraben Kabelgraben Briesensee Briesensee

e e

e e r r Caminchen Caminchen

p p

S S Sacrow Sacrow

e e u u Radensdorf Radensdorf e e LÜBBEN/ N LÜBBEN/Gubener N Gubener 115 115 Vorstadt 320 Vorstadt 320 Laasow Laasow NP NP SPREEWALD SPREEWALD Uckermärkische Uckermärkische BR Flusslandschaft BR Flusslandschaft Schiebsdorf Schiebsdorf Burglehn Burglehn RheinsberNP g Seen NLP RheinsberNP g Seen NLP Niewitz Niewitz Elbe-Brandenburg Stechlin- BR Elbe-BrandenburgUnteres Stechlin- BR Unteres Ratsvorwerk Ratsvorwerk Ruppiner Land Schorfheide- Odertal Ruppiner Land Schorfheide- Odertal Butzen Butzen Chorin Chorin Deich- Deich- NP NP siedlung siedlung NP Barnim NP Barnim Treppendorf Treppendorf Neu Zauche Neu Zauche West- Bernau West- Bernau Stein- Stein- Wußwerk Wußwerk havelland NP havelland NP kirchen kirchen Märkische Märkische Discover the Spreewald BERLIN Schweiz BERLIN Schweiz Alt Zauche Alt Zauche Potsdam Potsdam Straupitz Straupitz NP NP NP NP Dahme- NP NP Dahme- Gurkenradweg Gurkenradweg Heideseen Heideseen Hoher Nuthe- NP Hoher Nuthe- NP Fläming Nieplitz Schlaubetal Fläming Nieplitz Schlaubetal Year after year, millions of people discover the beauty and NLP = national park BR BR Byhlen (Nationalpark) Byhlen Spreewald Spreewald Neuendorf Neuendorf Hauptspree Hauptspree Europa- Europa- Großschutzgebiete NP Großschutzgebiete NP natural abundance of the Spreewald. In order to organise and wanderweg wanderweg BR = biosphere reserve Niederlausitzer Niederlausitzer (Biosphärenreservat)in Brandenburg Landrücken in Brandenburg Landrücken Kaden Kaden Nordumfluter Nordumfluter NLP = Nationalpark NP NLP = Nationalpark NP NP = nature park (Naturpark) Niederlausitzer Niederlausitzer 87 87 See BR = BiosphärenreservatSee BR = Biosphärenreservat manage this tourism activity in an environmentally friendly L L hrer hrer Heidelandschaft Heidelandschaft u u PLACES OFFERINGS Accommodations/ restaurant point departure Canoe Boatrental rental Bike Riding/charabanc Camping Vacation farm the on trail Learning Museum 4 4 hleg NP =h Naturparkleg NP = Naturpark 9 9 By Large NatureBy Reserves in manner, a cooperation was established involving local authori- Duben Duben Brandenburg Alt Zauche • • • • Burg and environs • • • • • • • • ties, the tourism association and the Partner Initiative, which, Lübben and environs • • • • • • • • Freiimfelde Freiimfelde Ragow Ragow Byhleguhre Byhleguhre

l L a n d k r e i s L a n dLübbenau k r e and i s environs • • • • • • • • • for example, develops the cycle and hiking trail network a A13 A13 n Terpt Terpt a Neu Zauche • • • • k t

and new boat routes. New ways of exploring traditions and l f

f Schlepzig • • • • • • •

m m

U U -

- • • • • • •

e e Straupitz

the landscape are being created wherever nature can cope e Groß Radden Groß Radden m

m e h At the exhibition in the Mankind and h S

r Krimnitz Krimnitz Vetschau and environs • • • • a a SaccasneSacca SaccasneSacca fe Burg Kauper Burg Kauper D r Klein Radden Klein Radden with this. The observation of animals in the Barzlin Reserve Nature Centre in Lübbenau’s old town, o d Lehde Lehde n Ha Ha Fehrow Fehrow you can journey together with Bully e Spree upt upt Alteno u Alteno spree Leipe spree Leipe Schmogrow Schmogrow “House for men and nature‟ Haus des Gastes (House of the between Lübben and Lübbenau and the Wussegk in the Lower Märkisch e Alt Schadow the Bullfrog through three worlds N LÜBBENAU/ LÜBBENAU/ Buchholz SPREEWALD SPREEWALD Permanent exhibition, administra- Guest)Tourist Information Burg Spreewald is well worthwhile. Of course, visitors will also learn while learning all about the Spree- Groß Groß Bismarckturm Bismarckturm tion of the biosphere reserve (Spreewald) Cahnsdorf CahnsdorfWillmersdorf- Willmersdorf-Beuchow Beuchow wald’s unique river landscape. Hindenberg Gurkenradweg HindenbergPlattkow e Schulstr. 9, 03222 Lübbenau Am Hafen 6, 03096 Burg (Spreewald) a lot about the Spreewald landscape and its inhabitants in the m Boblitz Boblitz h Neuendorf Tel: (0 35 42) 89 21 - 0, Fax: - 40 Tel: (03 56 03) 417, Fax: 498 a Burg Kolonie Burg Kolonie D am See biosphere reserve’s three information centres. Equally highly [email protected] touristinfo-burg-spreewald@ t-online.de Hohenbrück Neu Schadoww Sü Sü ree dum dum www.spreewald-biosphaerenreservat.de www.burg-spreewald-tourismus.de p flut flut Burg/ Burg/ S Groß-Klessow Groß-Klessow er er r Spreewald Spreewald recommended are the herb garden and the fully accessible e A13 Kittlitzn A13 Kittlitz n Pretschen e e b h Striesow Dissen Striesow Dissen a A15 A15

sc r Schlossberghof Burg Spreewaldinfo Lübben

g g g

Grenze Biosphärenreservatt Spreewald GrenzeBorderg of Biosphärenreservat the Spreewald Biospere Spreewald Reserve Guhrow Guhrow

d e d d

nature experience clock on the Schlossberghof in Burg as well r d

n n n P n Permanent exhibition, Herb-Garden, Ernst-von-Houwald-Damm 15

L L L Naturschutzgebiete (NSG) NaturschutzgebieteNatureL reserve (NR) (NSG) Leibschch ener Groß Lübbenau Groß Lübbenau Naundorf Naundorf Herb-Shop, Burg office of the adminis- 15907 Lübben (Spreewald) as participation in tours offered by the park rangers. Hikes and bike tours with the Spree- Köth S Landschaftsschutzgebiete (LSG) Landschaftsschutzgebiete (LSG) Werben Werben ee Lichtenau Landscape protectionLichtenau area (LPA) Müschen Müschen Briesen trationBriesen of the biosphere reserve, Tel: (0 35 46) 30 - 90, 24 - 33, Fax: 25 43 Köthen Raddusch Raddusch wald rangers uncover exciting and Neu Lübbenau Information InformationInformation Fleißdorf Fleißdorf Ranger Service [email protected] often forgotten insights into nature. But Schönfeld-Nord Schönfeld-Nord Schlabendorf InformationszentrenSchlabendorf des BiosphärenreservatesBückchenInformationszentrenInformation center of thedes biosphere Biosphärenreservates reserve Byhleguhrer Str. 17, 03096 Burg www.luebben.de the work of the Ranger Service staff Heide- Stradow Stradow Research and Protection seen Groß Naturschutz-Information Naturschutz-InformationRanger Service Information SSpree-NeißeSSpree-NeißeTel: administration office Krausnicker L a n d k r e i s L a n d k r e i s is much more than just this: they see Europa- Wasserburg 246 Bischdorf Bischdorf Suschow Suschow Brahmow Europa- Brahmow Europa- (03 56 03) 691- 0 Spreewald Tourist Information – wanderweg Kirche Kuschkow KircheChurch Ruben Ruben to the implementation of the species Gurkenradweg wanderweg wanderweg Fax: (03 56 03) 691 - 22 Lübbenau Schloss SchlossCastle Babow Babow protection programs, such as the one Gröditsch Gulben RangerGulben service: (03 56 03) 750 - 146 Ehm-Welk-Str. 15, 03222 Lübbenau The Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is involved with observa- Berge Presenchen Zinnitz Presenchen Zinnitz for the European otter, for bats or for Museum Museum Oberspreewald-Oberspreewald- Fax: (03 56 03) 754 - 675 Tel: (0 35 42) 88 70 - 40, Fax: - 429 Dubrau Belten Dubrau Belten Kahnabfahrtsstelle Kahnabfahrtsstelle tion programmes in the environmental research system of amphibians. They are also involved in Luchsee Canoe departure point [email protected] L a n d k r e i s Papitz Rabenau Papitz Rabenau m Windmühle WindmühleWindmill L a u s i t z L a u s i t z Old Mill – Schlepzig www.spreewald-online.de the observation program from which o Milkersdorf Milkersdorf German large-scale reserves. Additionally, special protection tr Bathow Bathow

AS 3 Vetschau VETSCHAU AS 3 Vetschau VETSCHAU Permanent exhibition, Schlepzig office Spree valuable information about the devel- Spree Aussichtspunkt AussichtspunktObservation point Puhls Koßwig Koßwig Kunersdorf Kunersdorf of the administration of the biosphere Tourist Information - programmes for endangered species are being implemented. opment of various species andDahme-Spreewald habitats Krausnick Campingplatz CampingplatzCamping grounds Kalkwitz Kalkwitz Zahsow Zahsow Dürrenhofe Groß Jehser Groß Jehser Dahlitz Dahlitz reserve, Unterspreewald Ranger Service Stadt Vetschau/Spreewald is won. The rangers also provide for Europawanderweg E10 EuropawanderwegEuropean Hiking Trail E1 E 010 Mlode Mlode Amongst other measures, feeding grounds are maintained and Schlepzig Krugau Dorfstraße 52, 15910 Schlepzig Schloßstr. 10, 03226 Vetschau Gurkenradw Lobendorf Lobendorf environmental education. Gurkenradweg eg Gurkenradweg (Pickle bike path) Eichow Eichow Kolkwitz Tel: administrationKolkwitz office (03 54 72) 276, Tel: (03 54 33) 777 - 84, Fax: 23 - 02 created and nests for the white stork are supervised – a spe- 1km = 0,9 cm 1km = 0,9 cm Saßleben Saßleben Mallenchen Erpitz BuckowMallenchen Erpitz Buckow Fax: - 6 48 99 [email protected] Fürstlich 0 Fürstlich 0 5 km 5 km L49 Limberg L49 Limberg Kleptna Kleptna Kolkwitz KolkwitzRanger service: (03 54 72) 52 - 30 www.vetschau.com cies that is critically endangered in Germany and lives in the Meiereisee Drehna DrehnaSchrake NSchrake N Repten Repten Reuden Reuden Biosphärenreservat Krieschow Krieschow Spreewald in a stable population. The common otter, which Spreewald White Stork Information Center Tourist Information Oberspreewald Petkamsberg (Teichwirtschaft) of NABU Kirchstr. 11, 15913 Straupitz/Spreewald is particularly protected by the EC Habitats Directive, likewise Calau Calau The true magicZone I (Kernzone, of the SpreewaldNaturschutzgebiet) Forest still covers about one-fourth Drebkauer Str. 2a, 03226 Vetschau Tel: (03 54 75) 80 - 977, 16 - 771 commands a high degree of attention. The Spreewald is one is most impressiveZone II (Naturschutzgebiet) on a traditional of the biosphere reserve. There are Tel/Fax: (03 54 33) 41- 00 Fax: 16 - 771, 86 - 365

87 boat trip, which can be begun almost the famous alder-forest in the Upper of the last breeding grounds of this species in Europe. Without Bugkg ben Spreewald Tourism Center Tourist Information Unterspreewald ra S anywhere. Spreewald and large ash- and oak- pre Lindenstr. 1, 03226 Vetschau Dorfstr. 26, 15910 Schlepzig e forests in the lower part. taking bird species into account, the Spreewald is home to OT Raddusch Tel: (03 54 72) 64 - 025, Fax: - 024 A13 Tel: (03 54 33) 72 - 299, Fax: - 228 [email protected] a total of 20 species that enjoy specifically protected status Biebersdorf Schönwalde [email protected] across Europe. www.spreewald.de Hartmannsdorf Freiwalde Briesener Lubolz See

Kabelgraben Briesensee

e r Caminchen

S Sacrow

e u Radensdorf e LÜBBEN/ N Gubener 115 Vorstadt 320 Laasow NP SPREEWALD Uckermärkische BR Flusslandschaft Schiebsdorf Burglehn RheinsberNP g Seen NLP Niewitz Elbe-Brandenburg Stechlin- BR Unteres Ratsvorwerk Ruppiner Land Schorfheide- Odertal Butzen Chorin Deich- NP siedlung NP Barnim Treppendorf Neu Zauche West- Bernau Stein- Wußwerk havelland NP kirchen Märkische BERLIN Schweiz Alt Zauche Potsdam Straupitz NP NP NP Dahme- Gurkenradweg Heideseen Hoher Nuthe- NP Fläming Nieplitz Schlaubetal BR Byhlen Spreewald Neuendorf Hauptspree Europa- Großschutzgebiete NP wanderweg Niederlausitzer in Brandenburg Landrücken Kaden Nordumfluter NLP = Nationalpark NP Niederlausitzer 87 r See BR = Biosphärenreservat L uhre Heidelandschaft 4 hleg NP = Naturpark 9 By Duben

Ragow Freiimfelde Byhleguhre L a n d k r e i s A13 Terpt

Groß Radden Krimnitz Burg Kauper SaccasneSacca Klein Radden Lehde Ha up Fehrow Alteno tspre Leipe Schmogrow LÜBBENAU/ e SPREEWALD Groß Bismarckturm Cahnsdorf Willmersdorf- Beuchow Hindenberg Boblitz Burg Kolonie

S üdu mfl Burg/ Groß-Klessow uter A13 Kittlitz Spreewald A15 Striesow Dissen Grenze Biosphärenreservat Spreewald Guhrow Naturschutzgebiete (NSG) Groß Lübbenau Naundorf Landschaftsschutzgebiete (LSG) Werben Lichtenau Müschen Briesen Information Raddusch Fleißdorf Schönfeld-Nord Schlabendorf Informationszentren des Biosphärenreservates Stradow Naturschutz-Information L a n d k r e i s SSpree-Neiße Bischdorf Suschow Brahmow Europa- Kirche wanderweg Ruben Schloss Babow Gulben Presenchen Zinnitz Museum Oberspreewald- Dubrau Belten Kahnabfahrtsstelle L a u s i t z Papitz Rabenau Windmühle Milkersdorf Bathow VETSCHAU Aussichtspunkt AS 3 Vetschau Koßwig Kunersdorf Campingplatz Kalkwitz Zahsow Groß Jehser Dahlitz Europawanderweg E10 Mlode Lobendorf Gurkenradweg Eichow Kolkwitz 1km = 0,9 cm Saßleben Mallenchen Erpitz Buckow Fürstlich 0 5 km L49 Limberg Kleptna Kolkwitz Drehna Schrake N Repten Reuden Krieschow

Calau