Cultural landscape
1,000 ponds, 800 years of fish farming, 1 UNESCO biosphere reserve - the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape is an absolute highlight in terms of landscape. Let me explain why it is so special.
What is a cultural landscape?
A cultural landscape is a landscape shaped by humans. It is characterized by constant change and dynamics . There are 17 cultural landscape areas across Saxony. For Upper Lusatia, these are the Upper Lusatian surrounding landscape, the Altsiedelland in the Upper Lusatian Gefilde, the Waldhufenflur of the West Lusatian hills and mountains as well as the heathland and, of course, the north-east Saxon heathland and pond area. These can also be found in the current update of the State Development Plan (LEP) from 2013. This also shows the special status of a cultural landscape. Historically evolved cultural landscapes are even subject to special protection under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG).
The Upper Lusatian heath and pond landscape
The Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape (also known as the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Region ), together with the northern part of Lower Lusatia, is Central Europe's largest pond landscape and comprises over 1,000bodies of water. This is why is also known as the land of a thousand ponds. As was the case around 800 years ago, the ponds are still used for fish farming today - the home of the Lusatian fish.
You can find out more about Lusatian fish here: Lusatian fish.
But the Upper Lusatian heath and pond landscape is not only important for fish farming. It is also home to many other animal and plant species, some of which are rare. In order to adequately protect their habitat, large parts of the area were designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1996. The biosphere reserve administration is based at HAUS DER TAUSEND TEICHE in Wartha.
You can find out more about the UNESCO biosphere reserve here: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
