Rakotzsee, Lake in Kromlau, Germany.
Rakotzsee is a lake within Kromlau Park, surrounded by manicured gardens featuring azaleas and rhododendrons across 80 hectares. Dark water reflects the sky while steep banks support dense forests of deciduous and coniferous trees.
The lake was created in the 19th century by Friedrich Herrmann Rötschke, who applied English landscape garden style to this former feudal estate. This transformation was part of a broader movement reshaping European parklands according to new aesthetic principles.
The lake's name comes from the Sorbian word for crab, connecting it to the region's Slavic heritage. The Sorbian people shaped this landscape for centuries, and their language remains present in many local place names.
Entry to the lake and park is free with no admission charge. However, walking across the historic basalt bridge is not permitted, though many trails offer viewing points of the water and surrounding landscape.
The famous Rakotzbrücke is built from basalt, with stones brought from distant quarries. When viewed from the opposite shore, its reflection in the water creates a perfect circle.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
