Cospudener See

The Cospudener See, affectionately known to Leipzig locals as the Cossi, is a 4.4-square-kilometre artificial lake southwest of the city and one of the most prominent links in the Leipzig New Lakeland. Until 1992 lignite was mined here in the Cospuden open-pit; after protests by the Stop Cospuden citizens' initiative in 1990 extraction was halted and the pit was flooded between 1993 and 2000 to form the lake. It opened officially for Expo 2000. Today the shore is lined by beaches, a north strand with beach volleyball, a marina with sailing boats and an 11-kilometre circular path. Those keen on a small climb can ascend the Bistumshoehe steel viewing tower for a full panorama of the reclaimed landscape.