Sperenberger Gipsbrüche, Protected geological site in Am Mellensee, Germany.
The Sperenberger Gipsbrüche is a protected site with four lakes that formed in old quarry pits, surrounded by steep rock walls on protected land. The edges of these lakes are covered with natural vegetation and create a space where water and stone meet.
The area was mined for gypsum from the 12th century until 1958, with a groundbreaking deep drilling operation between 1867 and 1871. This work left behind the lakes we see today and transformed a flat region into a varied landscape.
The name comes from the gypsum extraction that shaped the landscape for centuries and remains visible today. You can read this heritage in the structure of the land, where natural lakes and rock walls tell the story of past work.
A walking trail from the village leads around all four lakes and lets you explore the entire area. The ground can be wet in places, so wear proper shoes and allow enough time to walk the full route.
The site contains Brandenburg's only natural sinkhole and special habitats for European otters, greater mouse-eared bats, and kingfishers. These rare animal species have adapted to the unique conditions created by the former mining landscape.
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