The Maschsee is an artificially created lake, which was planned by the NSDAP in the 1930s as propaganda to reduce the unemployment figures. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in 1934.
There are still some art objects from this time on the lake. The bronze sculpture of the Olympic torchbearer on a stone column and putto on the fish, both by Hermann Scheuertstuhl (1936). The human couple by Georg Kolbe (1936/37) and two lion sculptures at the so-called lion bastion by Arno Breker (1938) The inscription on the pillar of the torchbearer reads: “Willingness to build gave work-happy hands the blessing of work - joy, health and from now on the lake will also give strength. 1934–1936. "
The sculptures from the time of National Socialism led to discussions as to whether it was about art or National Socialist propaganda, as they reflect the image of people and society from that time with a special emphasis on strength and health. Since 2012 there have been two information boards on the north bank of the Maschsee opposite the Sprengel Museum that deal critically with the art of the Maschsee. [from Maschsee Wikipedia].
Today the lake is used as a welcome recreational area, a circuit around the lake is around 6.5 km long.