Brandenburg’s lakes are among the absolute highlights if you want to get out of Berlin. Some of them are only a few minutes away by S-Bahn to clear waters and relaxing places that make you forget the noise of the big city. Today we are introducing you to another special place: The enchanted Sacrower See offers the ideal combination of tranquil nature, regal elegance and an indispensable history lesson.
Lake Sacrow: the blue wonder
Lake Sacrower See is located in northern Potsdam, right on the border with Berlin. It is considered one of the cleanest and clearest natural lakes in the Brandenburg region, as it is mainly fed by groundwater. With a depth of up to 36 meters, it is also one of the five deepest natural lakes in the state.
Lake Sacrow has been a designated nature reserve since 1938. There are beautiful, natural bathing spots along the shore, especially at the northern tip, which are perfect for cooling off in summer. In total, the lake stretches for around 3 kilometers. This offers more than enough space for the most beautiful hikes through the Königswald!
Depending on the starting point, the entire circular walk around Lake Sacrower See is around 9 to 11 kilometers and takes around 3 to 4 hours. The route is mostly easy and flat and easy to walk, which is particularly suitable for families with children. The trail leads mainly through the Königswald nature reserve with its pine and mixed forests. You can discover some adventurous stories and enchanted sights along the way.
A circular route through culture and history
The path around Lake Sacrow takes you past Sacrow Castle. It’s worth making a stop here. The original manor house was acquired by King Frederick William IV in 1840 and converted into a palace to expand the Potsdam garden landscape. The beautiful park was designed by a famous garden architect (Peter Joseph Lenné). And in the palace itself you will often find changing exhibitions.
However, the clear highlight of the path past Sacrower See is the Heilandskirche church. It is located directly on the shore of Jungfernsee, a bay on the Havel, and juts out into the water like a ship. From the outside, its round arches make it look almost like a building from Italy, at least that’s how its architectural style appears. This church was also commissioned by King Frederick William IV and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin”.
Both the palace and the church are located directly on the former inner-German border. This means that this idyllic area also brings with it a few darker chapters of Berlin’s history. At the time of the Berlin Wall, Sacrower See was part of the border area and was heavily guarded. Even the church tower was integrated into the border system. Where there was once “no man’s land” , you will now find pure nature and some moving relics from times gone by.