Großer Ruß Pond (Plothen Ponds)

"The Land of 1000 Ponds". The pond landscape with a size of approx. 75 km2 is located on a plateau of the Thuringian Slate Mountains. The center of the ponds is located between the villages of Plothen, Dreba, Knau, Bucha, Volkmannsdorf and Schöndorf.

The formerly 2,000 ponds (now about 600) were built in the 11th and 12th centuries. Century created by monks for the purpose of fish farming. They are connected to a partly vertical ditch system and are fed not by spring water but by precipitation, hence the name "heavenly ponds". At an altitude of 480 to 500 m, this historically grown pond landscape is unique.

Here you can find out how the fish get into the ponds and what threatens the ecological balance. A bank next door invites you to linger.

very nice recreation area with campsite, youth hostel and countless information boards for further education