A lake landscape: Flooded opencast mines are connected

In just a few months, the flooded open-cast mines in Lusatia will be united to form one large lake landscape. "On June 29, the lakes Senftenberger See, Geierswalder See, Partwitzer See, Sedlitzer See and Großräschener See, which were created from flooded open-cast mines, will merge into a joint network through navigable canals," said a statement from the Lusatian Lakeland Tourism Association.

5,300 hectares of water

The opening will create a contiguous water area of around 5,300 hectares. By comparison, the Müritz - Germany's largest inland lake - is around 11,300 hectares in size, according to the Waterways and Shipping Authority. Lake Sedlitz is to be opened for swimming and boating for the first time before June 29.

Sign of change

"The largest man-made water landscape in Europe is taking shape. And the opening marks an important step for the further development of water tourism in the Lusatian Lakeland," said Kathrin Winkler, Managing Director of the tourism association. The day marks "a strong sign for the transformation of a former open-cast mining landscape into an attractive vacation region with international appeal".

Water hikers can now cruise around the interconnected water network. A complete loop on the water is around 50 kilometers long. Until now, the Koschen Canal between Lakes Senftenberg and Geierswald and the Barbara Canal between Lakes Geierswald and Partwitz were the only navigable waterways in the region. Three more navigable canals will open on June 29.