Emerald Lake

The Szmaragdowe Lake (Emerald Lake) is an artificial water reservoir, located in the Szczecin Landscape Park Puszcza Bukowa ("Beech Woods"). The lake has a characteristic green color from which its name comes from. It is caused by a high content of calcium carbonate. Nearby the lake are, among others, the underground of military buildings from the 1930s and 1940s, and the artificial cave "Za Łukami" ("Over the Arcs") which are available for visiting.

The lake was established in 1925 as a result of flooding the excavation of the former chalk and marl mine used by the local factory of Portland cement. Currently, it covers an area of nearly 29,000 km2, and at the deepest point it measures 18 m in depth. According to the local legend, a malicious and greedy ghost, called the Treasurer, is responsible for the mine flooding. For centuries he had been collecting treasures, and when one of the miners accidentally discovered ghost's hideout, in revenge he let in water in the underground.