Elster reservoir Bösdorf, reservoir
Elster reservoir Bösdorf is a water basin south of Leipzig surrounded by grasslands and flat terrain. The water stretches across open space with the earth dam reaching about 2800 meters in length, creating a calm surface that reflects the sky.
The reservoir was constructed between 1933 and 1935 to manage water flow from the White Elster River. After World War II it became popular for swimming and boating, but nearby mining from the 1970s onward gradually reduced the water level over time.
The reservoir attracted locals for decades as a place to swim, sail, and spend free time near the water. Today it remains a space where people come to walk, rest, and enjoy the quiet outdoors away from the city.
The site is easy to access via simple paths and walking routes suitable for all ages. Visitors will find open grassland for walking, biking, or sitting quietly while enjoying wide views across the land.
Wisents, a rare wild cattle breed, now graze on the drained grasslands where water once covered the basin. These large animals are an unexpected sight for visitors walking through what was once a lake.
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