Brandenburg

Brandenburg – the Spreewald (a waterway with a punt and a female punter in traditional Sorbian dress)

The Spreewald is an extensive riverine landscape southeast of Berlin, crisscrossed by countless natural and man-made waterways of the Spree River. The region is known for its traditional punt tours, in which flat wooden boats are poled through the narrow channels using long punting poles. The Spreewald is also home to the Sorbs and Wends, a Slavic minority with their own language, culture, and traditional dress, who continue to shape the region's cultural life today. The distinctive Sorbian costume worn by the female punters is closely tied to the image of the Spreewald and frequently appears in depictions of the landscape. Agriculture, especially cucumber growing, is likewise closely linked to the region.

In 1991, UNESCO designated the Spreewald a biosphere reserve to preserve its unique cultural landscape, its flora and fauna, and the Sorbian cultural heritage. The region stands as a model for how traditional ways of life, agriculture, and nature conservation can coexist. For Brandenburg, the Spreewald is one of the best-known tourist destinations and a key part of the region's identity. With the 2036 commemorative 2-euro coin, Brandenburg honors this distinctive cultural landscape and its Sorbian traditions.