The Bleiloch dam in Thuringia is Germany’s largest reservoir by volume. It dams the Saale river over a length of almost 80 kilometres – in five stages and embedded in a densely wooded landscape. The imposing dam wall was built between 1926 and 1932. It is 65 metres high and 205 metres long and holds back more than 200 million cubic metres of water.
The Bleiloch dam was named after the so-called ‘lead holes’ in which lead was mined before it was built. Today, the lake is a popular destination for nature lovers and active holidaymakers. The wooded shores are part of the European bird sanctuary, which serves as a refuge for many rare species.
There are numerous hiking trails around the lake that lead to viewpoints and hidden bays. There are also plenty of water sports: from swimming to paddling and sailing, everything is possible. If you want to experience the lake from the water, you can board a passenger boat in Saalburg and discover the Bleiloch Dam from the deck.
