Recognised in part as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1979, it was extended in 1997 to become the Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve. Today, at approximately 282,250 ha, it is the largest inland, transnational biosphere reserve in Germany. It is one of the last near-natural river landscapes in Central Europe. More than three-quarters of Germany’s floodplain forest are in the biosphere reserve. This diverse landscape is home to numerous plant and animal species. A special characteristic of this region is the Elbe beaver, the largest rodent in Europe, which was on the verge of extinction. The Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and has been under UNESCO protection since 1988 as the Dessau-Wörlitz Cultural Landscape in the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve.
World culture
on wild shores
Welcome to the largest inland biosphere reserve in Germany, representing one of the last near-natural river landscapes in Central Europe. Over three-quarters of Germany’s floodplain forests can be found here, providing a habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Together with the Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve, the Elbe River Landscape was the first German Biosphere Reserve, recognised in 1979.