Alte Mühle Schlepzig - Information Centre

Alte Mühle Schlepzig is one of three information centres for the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve. Visitors can take a look behind the scenes, and we didn’t forget the little ones either: Bully the bullfrog, who is based on a character from a local myth, guides children through the exhibitions.

The old mill that is located close to the harbour in Schlepzig has been providing for unusual insights into Unterspreewald Forest since summer 1998. Visitors step past the bullfrog and through a curtain to enter what seems to be an underwater world: A Spreewald punt can be seen above, there are floating-leaf plants near the water surface, and a large, lurking pike is floating through the room.

The various creatures of the Spreewald streams can be seen all around, ranging from a big catfish on the ground, through to tiny water fleas that don’t look quite so tiny at a magnification of 150-fold. They are the basis of the diverse life in the stream, and the starting point of a food chain that goes all the way to otters and Spreewald fishermen.

However, there is more to Unterspreewald Forest than just water. Unlike in the Oberspreewald region, there are still big woodland areas. A part of the exhibition is therefore dedicated to the forest. There is also electronic media, informing visitors about the biodiversity in the biosphere reserve, or allowing them to have a go at acting as the reserve’s manager.

A media, communication and meeting room is available for events, and it can be used by partners of the biosphere reserve and their guests: for trade exhibitions, film screenings, seminars, and so on.