Spree River

The Spree River is 250 miles long, beginning its journey in the Lusatian Mountains in northern Bohemia, Czech Republic, just above the German town of Neugersdorf. It connects into the Elbe River in Germany and empties into the North Sea.


As The Spree River flows through Germany, a portion of it forms a marshy wooded biosphere reserve known as the Spree Forest, or Spreewald. Spreewald contains wetlands with alder forests, sandy dry areas with pine forests, grasslands, and fields. Approximately 18,000 species of flora and fauna have been identified here.


In the city of Berlin, the Spree River is also the location of the Badeschiff (?bathing ship?), a floating public swimming pool. The Badeschiff opened in 2004, providing a sanitary environment near the river where people could swim. The River Spree also runs along Spreeinsel, or Spree Island. There are five large Berlin museums and an exhibition building on the island. This section is often called ?Museum Island.? Museum Island is one of Berlin?s most visited sites.