Gröditzer Skala, Protected valley along Löbauer River in Weißenberg, Germany.
The Gröditzer Skala is a protected rocky, forested valley of the Löbauer Wasser (Upper Sorbian Lubata) running west to east from Gröditz to Weicha and Wuischke within Weißenberg's municipal area. The river cut its bed into North Lusatian graywacke during the Elster glaciation, leaving north and south slopes that carry sessile oak, hornbeam, ash and maple; the reserve covers 39 hectares.
The Löbauer Water cut its bed into North Lusatian graywacke during the Elster glaciation, giving the valley its present relief. Until 1945 the woodland belonged to landowners whose estate was at Gröditz; they built several structures in the forest that are now listed as cultural and historical monuments. Remains of an early Slavic fortification survive at the western end, on the edge of Gröditz. The valley was placed under protection as a nature reserve on 30 March 1961.
The name Gröditzer Skala combines the village name Gröditz with the Sorbian word skała, meaning rock valley; the Upper Sorbian form derives from hrodźišćo, a fortified settlement. Until 1945 the woodland belonged to landowners whose estate was in Gröditz, and they built several structures in the forest that are now listed as cultural and historical monuments. Remains of an early Slavic fortification survive at the western edge, on the boundary with Gröditz.
The Mühlenweg themed trail runs through Weißenberg, Weicha and Gröditz, and the Görlitz–Weißenberg–Bautzen section of the Jakobsweg crosses the valley. The disused Löbau–Radibor railway viaduct, about 170 m long with ten arches, now carries a walking path. The A4 motorway passes along the northern edge of the reserve.
The valley's south-facing slopes carry sycamore maple, small-leaved lime and large-flowered foxglove, while the north side is dominated by sessile oak, hornbeam and ash. Until 1945 the woodland belonged to landowners whose manor stood at Gröditz, and they built several structures in it that are now listed as cultural monuments.
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