Perhaps you’ve noticed the subtle dips and curves in the landscape around here. They tell a silent story of Leipzig’s past. Today, we’re standing on what was once the Ehemaliger Verlauf der Östlichen Rietzschke.
The Östliche Rietzschke, or Eastern Rietzschke, was a small river. Its name comes from the Old Sorbian “recka”. Recka means “little river”.
This Fluss was once a defining feature of Leipzig’s eastern side. It flowed for about 7.5 kilometers. The Östliche Rietzschke started in Zuckelhausen. It wound its way through Holzhausen, Zweinaundorf, Mölkau and Stünz.
But its journey didn’t end there. Until the late 19th century, the Östliche Rietzschke continued past Sellerhausen. It flowed through Volkmarsdorf, Reudnitz, and Neuschönefeld. Finally, it joined the Parthe River.
Can you imagine locals picnicking by its banks? From the 17th to 19th centuries, the Rietzschkeaue was a favorite spot for city dwellers. A pleasant path followed the little river. The fertile Rietzschke meadow grew vegetables. These veggies helped feed the growing city of Leipzig. Street names like Kohlgartenstraße and Kuchengartenstraße still remind us of this time.
However, Leipzig changed. Industrialization boomed. Fields gave way to buildings. The Rietzschkeaue shrank. By the end of the 19th century, the river was disappearing. Gradually, the Östliche Rietzschke was covered over. It vanished beneath the city.
Though hidden, the Ehemaliger Verlauf der Östlichen Rietzschke still makes its presence known. Many buildings and gardens in the former Rietzschke meadow suffer floods. They also struggle with dampness. This is caused by the buried river.
Efforts are underway to improve water quality. But the Östliche Rietzschke’s isolation from Leipzig’s river system is irreversible. This happened because the old Rietzschke meadow was built over.
The Östliche Rietzschke originates from a pond in Holzhausen. This pond is on Zuckelhausener Ring. The stream flows north. It passes fields. Before Holzhäuser Straße, there is a depression. This area features plants. These plants indicate specific soil conditions. Some indicate salt. Some indicate wetness.
South of Zweinaundorf, there are meadows. These meadows host rare plants and even rare butterflies. In Zweinaundorf, the Östliche Rietzschke flows partly underground. It feeds the village pond. The pond, church, and a large Flatterulme tree create a beautiful scene.
In 1993, the Rietzschke in Volkshain Stünz was cleared. Large pipes were installed. These pipes separate wastewater from the Rietzschke. The water here is now clean. The riverbank was left natural. The park has various trees. There is also a pond with water lilies and bulrushes.
The Östliche Rietzschke once flowed past allotment gardens. High groundwater levels caused some gardens to become waterlogged. These gardens had to be abandoned. The Östliche Rietzschke disappears under Wurzener Straße. This is near the S-Bahn crossing.
Today, the Östliche Rietzschke ends its journey in Leipzig’s sewers. But its story remains. It is a reminder of Leipzig’s changing landscape. It’s a story of nature, growth, and the hidden streams that still flow beneath our feet. So, as you explore Leipzig, remember the Ehemaliger Verlauf der Östlichen Rietzschke. Think of the water that once shaped this land.