Location: Germany Brandenburg Senftenberg
Where the Sedlitz opencast mine once extracted lignite, the largest lake of the Lusatian Lake District now lies. Swimming has been allowed since April 2026, and canals link the lake with its neighbours.
Interesting facts
- Water surface: around 1,330 hectares – the largest lake in the Lusatian Lake District
- Created from the former Sedlitz opencast mine
- Open for swimming and boating since 24 April 2026
Why visit
- Swim in a former mining lake opened only in 2026
- View over the Lusatian Lake District from the “Rusty Nail”
- Explore the neighbouring lakes by boat via canals
With a water surface of around 1,330 hectares, Sedlitzer See is the largest of the artificial lakes being created in Lusatia from former lignite opencast mines. It lies in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district of Brandenburg, right on the border with Saxony, and fills the pit of the former Sedlitz mine. In Lower Sorbian it is called Sedlišćański jazor.
Flooding took many years: it was originally due to finish in 2015 but was only completed in 2025. On 24 April 2026 the lake was opened to swimmers and boats. Since June 2026 it has been part of the “5-Lake Network”, which links it with Senftenberger See, Geierswalder See, Partwitzer See and Großräschener See.
A striking landmark stands on the Sorno Canal: the 30-metre “Landmarke Lausitzer Seenland” made of weathering steel, usually called the “Rusty Nail” because of its reddish-brown colour. From the top, the view sweeps across the new lake landscape that has replaced the mines.
History
The lake was created from the Sedlitz opencast mine in the Lusatian lignite district. Flooding was initially planned to end in 2015 and was completed in 2025. Since 24 April 2026 the lake has been open for swimming and boating; since the end of June 2026 the Sedlitz outlet has drained surplus water from the lake chain into the Black Elster river.
Special features
Canals connect the lake with its neighbours: the 1,197-metre Ilse Canal with Großräschener See, the Sorno Canal with Geierswalder See and the Rosendorf Canal with Partwitzer See. On the Sorno Canal stands the observation tower “Landmarke Lausitzer Seenland” (“Rusty Nail”), inaugurated in 2008 and complemented in 2026 by a floating jetty on the lake.
Map
Opens an external route planner. Please check access and opening times before you set off.
Sources
Image: Botaurus · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026