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Im Spreewald 22.jpg Photo by Bomenius –

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Spreewald Biosphere Reserve

This is a large inland delta of the river Spree, and a historical cultural landscape located in the region of Lower Lusatia, in the state of Brandenburg, Germany.

The Spreewald Biosphere is a swamp from the River Spree that extends about 100 km southeast of Berlin. Apart from the swamp, there is a forest that creates curiosity among the locals and also tourists visiting Germany.

However, the Spree forest’s location is within the settlement area of lower Sorbs. This area or rather a region is known as officially bilingual, German, and more so Lower Sorbian.

Of importance to note is that the Spree Forest was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1991. This causes intriguing situations as it is known for its traditional irrigation system.

The population is about 50,000  who practice farming. Irrigation is enabled by the installation of about 200 small canals running over 1,300 kilometers interpreted as 810 miles.

The most fascinating issue about the Spree Forest is its unique flora and fauna. More importantly, it has a traditional flat-bottom boat with a landscape that was shaped during the last ice age.

There are region’s most populous towns are Lübbenau/Spreewald (L.S. Lubnjow/BÅ‚ota), which is known for the incorporated villages of Lehde (LÄ›dy) and Leipe (Lipje).

The villages with canals instead of streets, and Lübben. However, the main town is Lübbenau but other additional towns include Vetschau/Spreewald with its reconstructed Old Slavic fortified wooden settlement Slawenburg Raddusch and Burg Spreewald.

1. The Population Here Depends on Tourism

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About 50,000 people live in the biosphere reserve (1998). Many of them are descendants of the first settlers in the Spree Forest region, the Slavic tribes of the Sorbs and Wends. They have preserved their traditional language, customs, and clothing to this day.

Most inhabitants depend on tourism. Many tourists explore the Spree Forest in punts. Agriculture, forestry, and fishery are other important sources of income. The principal town of the area is Lübbenau.

2. The Formation of Spreewald Biosphere Reserve

Alder forests on wetlands and pine forests on sandy dry areas are characteristic of the Spree Forest region. Grasslands and fields can be found as well. About 18,000 species of flora and fauna have been identified.

In 1991, the Spree Forest was designated a UNESCO “Biosphärenreservat” (Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme).

3. Organic Products a Centre of Interest to Most Tourists

It is very interesting to know that this is a tourist attraction area due to its natural organic products.

The Spree Forest is a tourist destination and a center of production of natural organic products. The tourism and economic demarcation of the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve are thus much more difficult than its geographical extension.

Due to its popularity and the associated advantage, the borders of the Spree Forest tourism and business area have increasingly extended beyond the original bounds of the Spree Forest.

4. An Intriguing Preserved Economic Area 

This is particularly true of the regional food industry, as the Spree Forest economic area created for this industry is much larger than the real Spree Forest.

This economic area is preserved by the Protected Geographical Indication scheme of the European Union. Before the legal protection of the space, there were several court disputes over the designation of Spreewald Biosphere Reserve on food labels.

5. Interesting ways to Access the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve

One can approach the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve by use of a train from Altdöbern and head in the Vetschau / Wetošow. It is interesting to have a stopover in Ogrosen/Hogrozna.

The ensemble of the old-fashioned little church and the lime tree of unusual size and beauty in from of it fascinated tourists. 

6. Interesting Activities

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A finely meshed water network of rivers and canals branches out over a total length of about 1000 km. Every year thousands of tourists enjoy the uniqueness of this landscape with its diverse flora and fauna.

The place is a life chargingDiscover the biosphere reserve “Spreewald” by bike or on foot on well-signposted hiking and cycling trails with a total length of 1200 km.

Enjoy the beauty and nativeness of the Spreewald on numerous water hiking routes.

7. Memorable Group Excursions 

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Many other possibilities such as carriage rides, horseback riding, jogging, skating, Nordic walking, as well as excursions in the immediate vicinity, for instance to the Slavenburg Raddusch or the mighty open-cast mining areas.

In addition, there are fishing activities in set aside areas. The fish is actually released into the water again in the Leineweberflie.

8.  There is a Spa Town in Burg

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One of the most idyllic landscapes located 100 km south of Berlin is the spa town of Burg (Spreewald). It has healing springs, owing to the iodine-rich thermal brine extracted from a depth of 1350 meters.

This is so richly mineralized that can compete with the water of the Dead Sea. Burg thus offers health-oriented visitors an exceptional opportunity to get to know “the Dead Sea” and its benefits.

9. The Customs of the Wends

The cultural calendar is also richly filled with traditional and unusual events every year. Additionally, the centuries-old customs of the Wends and Sorbs and their fascinating legendary figures play an important role.

Nevertheless, there are other highlights like the Spreewald Legend Night at the Bismarck Tower. 

10. There are Unique Features 

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The area is composed of meadows, forests, and fens, yet the unique characteristic is its more than 276 km of navigable channels. The channels and rivers and their surroundings are not only habitats for many animals and plant species.

In addition, the unique features have been a major attraction to tourists both local and international. The Spree river creates a super special attraction with its swamp and boat activities, more so the beautiful forest which is the main intriguing feature that most people long to visit.

However, the locals are officially bilingual, German, and more so those occupying the lower Sorbian.