Wittenbergen, Nature reserve in Rissen, Germany.
Wittenbergen is a protected area along the Elbe River with distinct landscape types including dry forests, heaths, grasslands, alluvial forests, and wet meadows. The riverbank setting creates spaces for seasonal flooding and water level changes that shape the ecological balance.
The area became protected in 1986 as Rissener Elbhang to preserve the slope vegetation along the Elbe. A major expansion in 2010 brought more riverbank landscape and adjacent areas under protection.
The reserve serves as a place where visitors can watch native plants and wildlife thriving in their natural habitats. The protected status allows the land to develop according to its own rhythms without human interference.
Several hiking trails traverse the area and offer different exploration options depending on your interests. Access is generally free, but visitors should stay on marked paths to protect the vegetation.
Two historic lighthouses - the Tinsdal upper signal fire and the Wittenbergen lower signal fire - still guide river traffic with their red and green markings. These charming structures are relics of maritime history and bring an unexpected navigation element to the natural landscape.
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