Greetings from Lieberose Heath and Desert! The federal state of Brandenburg is not really known for being exciting. If you are looking for a quiet getaway, this is the place to go.
Why does Germany have a desert? Well, I’m glad you asked.
The Russian army used this area for military practices. After the wall came down, no one really knew what to do with this huge area.
I’ll spare you the details, which are complex … but to cut it short … on one side of the road lies the Lieberoser Wüste, the desert of Lieberose.
In this vast space there is pretty much nothing as far as the eye can see. Since the desert is highly contaminated with munition it is not safe to visit.
On the other side you find the Lieberose Heith. They established walking trails through the area.
Big parts of the former military area are strict nature reserves.
A few signs explain the ecological succession. Basically, the part we visited is completely untouched and nature is simply allowed to take over.
Lieberose Heath hosts 400 different kinds of butterflies, more than 100 kinds of breeding birds and many animals and insects on the brink of extinction.
OK, it doesn’t really look like a haven for wildlife.
Different kind of deer, even mouflon, are native here, as well as badgers, otters or racoon dogs.
Special motion cameras also spotted elks (I’m not making this up) and wolves.
One of the signs showed a picture of baby wolves. It is all looking pretty promising here.
The Russian army erected a hill and a watch tower, so you are able to enjoy the vast nothingness with a view.
Oddly enough, they bothered to plant roses. I bet they are red.
The moral of the story is that nature will take over eventually and you can still have fun with everything closed.
Thanks for flying with be kitschig. Have a happy Hump Day!
More odd places to visit
Sunrise at the abandoned resort
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Interesting post Jeanine – seeing a desert there in your country surprised me, but I do “get” the reason for it. I was surprised there are so many critters there since it is so sparse. Well, that just goes to show that critters are more resourceful than humans sometimes.
Hi Linda, don’t ask me where I read this but it’s supposed to be the 2nd biggest in Europe of its kind. The diversity is fascinating. They connected it to other woods and the animals can roam to God knows where. No one really knows about this place!
Sometimes desolate is good Jeanine … no one knows about it so you get the benefit of roaming about, just like the animals.
I like the word Lieberose in that context. Is it actually Liebe-Rose? Lieb-Erose oder Lie-Berose.
Mhm, need to think about it…
Ha ha, very clever! It’s Lieberose. While you’re there it’s not that far from Müllrose 😅
Yes, I heard Müllrose several times, mostly in the context of traffic jam towards Poland.
That sounds about right. It is part of the Schlaubetal, so much nicer than the name suggests
The first time I was in Berlin was in 1987 and I remember similar watchtowers all over the place. I somehow still can’t believe that the Wall came down… Thanks for sharing these interesting pictures and introducing us to this area.
Thank you Liz! The South East of Brandenburg is an aera many people don’t even know about. It is a beautiful place to visit. Especially the Spreewald.
It’s really nice to know that what was once a negative place is reborn as a nature habitat. Very hopeful!
Thank you! The place is truly fascinating. Big parts of it where a true wasteland. Others were just part of the military but not really in use so for decades animals just lived there without much interferance of people. We do need these spaces.
It’s a crazy place to visit though. No sign, no fancy cafe, not even a toilet 🙂 Fingers crossed it will stay like that!
Interesting how nature is slowly taking it back. Nature always wins in the end – even against communist bloc era concrete
It was an interesting trip! There are more photos to share but I wouldn’t dare to go to the restricted aera, would I?
Maybe breaking down concrete is easier than capitalist plastic after all?
Sadly, you’re right. The concrete will eventually disintegrate and crumble away to powder in a relatively short space of time compared to plastic. Some of the plastic is undoubtedly ‘capitalist’ but China still meets the communist quota. Both systems are equally as bad as one another😎