Germany transforms former coal mines into Europe's largest lake landscape

Germany is in the process of converting former coal mines into Europe's largest lake landscape, a project that will reach completion in April. The Lusatian Lakeland, spanning 14,000 hectares, includes Lake Sedlitz, the final addition to the complex. This massive undertaking has created a water landscape almost as large as Italy's Lake Como.

The Lusatian Lakeland is composed of 23 human-made lakes, with 10 planned to be connected by canals for leisure boating, covering a navigable area of 7,000 hectares. The Lausitz and Central-German Mining Administration Company (LMBV) is responsible for the rehabilitation and flooding of former open-cast mines. The project has cost around €7 billion so far, with an estimated €4.8 billion needed over the next 25 years.

When completed, the Lusatian Lakeland will be almost as large as Italy's Lake Como, and will serve not only as a tourist destination but also as a water reservoir for the rivers Spree and Schwarze Elster during periods of low water.