Peitzer Teiche mit dem Teichgebiet Bärenbrück und Laßzinswiesen, Protected wetland area in Cottbus, Germany
The Peitzer Teiche mit dem Teichgebiet Bärenbrück und Laßzinswiesen is a 1,605.46-hectare nature reserve in the Spree-Neiße district and on Cottbus city territory in Brandenburg, south of the town of Peitz. Its ponds form the largest connected pond area in Germany; the largest single pond is the Neuendorfer Oberteich at about 222 hectares.
Margrave Johann had the ponds dug in the mid-16th century, around the same time as the construction of Peitz Fortress. They are thought to have served as an approach obstacle for the fortress. The area has been a nature reserve since 28 September 1990.
Fish farming has shaped this area for centuries and remains visible in how the water is used and how locals relate to the landscape. The ponds and surrounding villages form a working community where agriculture and nature coexist as part of daily life.
Visitors can explore the area using marked paths and observation platforms distributed throughout the wetland. The flat terrain is easy to navigate, but waterproof footwear is recommended as moisture is common in many sections.
Unlike natural wetlands, these ponds were deliberately engineered and shaped to maximize both water retention and fish productivity over centuries. This deliberate design is still visible today in the geometric arrangement and interconnected network of water bodies.
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