Fir forest (Leipzig)
The fir forest is a 251 hectare forest area north of Leipzig , which was used by the military for decades and which still bears traces of this time. Since the incorporation of the municipality of Lindenthal on January 1, 1999, the forest has been entirely in the area of the city of Leipzig.
geography
The distinctive triangular shape of the forest is bordered by the old road between Lindenthal and Radefeld in the east, the former parade ground in the west and the old salt road in the south. From the Mülkaubach, which used to run in the eastern part of the forest, only the bed of the stream can be seen today. The restoration of the course of the stream between Tannenwald and Lindenthal is currently in progress.
Flora and fauna
Despite its name, the fir forest is actually a mixed deciduous forest. The establishment of a bird sanctuary in the forest area was planned, but was not implemented due to the expansion of Leipzig / Halle Airport and the associated impairment from aircraft noise. However, the terrain is still registered as a Fauna-Flora-Habitat (FHH). Among other things, the middle woodpecker and the sparrowhawk warbler are protected species .
The former parade ground west of the fir forest is currently used as pasture for cattle ( aurochs back-breeding) and Exmoor ponies because of nature conservation and biotope maintenance. The animals live on the site all year round and are intended to prevent the area from being overgrown.
history
The course of the old salt road can still be seen on the southern edge of the forest. It was laid out in the 14th century by Archbishop Otto of Halle and led from Halle (Saale) via Osmünde and north from Schkeuditz to Leipzig.
From 1818 the border between Prussia and Saxony ran along the western edge of the forest; boundary stones were set on the southwestern corner of the forest and on the northwestern tip.
On the south-western edge of the fir forest, the “Monument to the 53” commemorates a Gestapo massacre in the last days of the war in 1945. The well-known Leipzig anti-fascists Margarete Bothe and Alfred Kästner were murdered here.
Military use
The fir forest is part of the former parade ground. It was used by the NVA . There are still clear traces of these times, for example trenches. In the northwest corner of the forest area, remains of the former barracks can still be found: including a garage, ammunition bunker and barriers. Russian soldiers have often left Cyrillic traces in the trees of the fir forest.
Recreation
Today the forest is mainly used by walkers, riders and cyclists. The Green Ring connects the fir forest with the cycle and hiking trails around Leipzig. A riding stable on the southwestern edge of the forest is the starting point for rides.
Coordinates: 51 ° 24 ′ 10 ″ N , 12 ° 19 ′ 20 ″ E