Brandenburg’s nature, with its diversity, leaves little to be desired. A Japanese bonsai garden here, an idyllic pear orchard there, and in between countless other surprises that the region has in store for special excursions. You just need to know where it’s worth going. But that’s often where the problem lies—you’re spoiled for choice, or you’re missing those hidden gems you haven’t discovered yet. And that’s exactly where we come in: We’re constantly discovering new, impressive places in Brandenburg that we don’t want to keep from our readers. And today we have a spot whose landscape seems almost surreal: the Great Wanninchen Lake in Sielmann’s Wanninchen Nature Reserve.
What today appears as an almost unreal natural backdrop was once a massive open-pit mine. It is precisely this radical transformation that makes the place so fascinating. The lake is located in the Lusatian Lake District, one of the largest man-made lake complexes in Europe. This was once the site of the Schlabendorf-Süd lignite open-pit mine, which was shut down in the early 1990s following German reunification. In the years that followed, the area was flooded in a controlled manner, creating several lakes—including the Great Wanninchen Lake. The result is not a naturally evolved landscape, but a newly formed one that continues to change to this day.
The ground shimmers in unusual hues like ochre, red, and gray, created by different layers of earth. At the same time , gentle hills, striking escarpments, and wide, open spaces define the landscape. Since the landscape is still young, established structures are missing in many places, making everything appear particularly raw and pristine . Add to that the silence and the vastness: there is hardly any development, and sounds are rare. This often creates the feeling that you are not in Brandenburg, but in an almost otherworldly setting.
Despite—or perhaps precisely because of—its artificial origins, a sensitive ecosystem has developed here. Over 1,500 animal and plant species now call the area home, including rare bird species such as white-tailed eagles, cranes, and the hoopoe. For many endangered species, the region has become an important refuge—an impressive example of just how successful renaturation can be.
The Great Wanninchen Lake is not a classic resort, but a destination for peace, nature experiences, and slowing down. You can hike along designated trails and discover numerous lookouts with sweeping views. Birdwatching is particularly worthwhile. At the Wanninchen Visitor Center, you can also learn more about how the landscape was formed. Important: Many areas are protected and not freely accessible.
