Dauner Maare, Protected volcanic lakes in Vulkaneifel, Germany.
Dauner Maare is a protected natural reserve containing three crater lakes in the Vulkaneifel region. These lakes - Gemündener Maar, Weinfelder Maar, and Schalkenmehrener Maar - create a wooded landscape spread across a substantial area.
These crater lakes formed through volcanic activity at different times in Earth's history. The Gemündener Maar came into being in ancient times, while the Schalkenmehrener Maar developed much later, shaping the landscape we see today.
The Weinfelder Maar is called Totenmaar because of a medieval church and cemetery on its shore, places that have shaped local spiritual life for centuries. This connection between the water and faith shows how people here have long viewed this location as sacred ground.
The area is easily reached from several surrounding roads, allowing access from various directions. Visitors should be prepared for walking, as exploring on foot offers the best way to see the lakes and the terrain can be uneven in places.
The Schalkenmehrener Maar has a distinctive double structure with a wet western basin and a dry eastern crater. In the dry basin sits a raised bog with uncommon plant species that grow nowhere else in the surrounding area.
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