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The pool at the Königsbach waterfall: No more Instagram photos
Photo: Sabine Dobel / dpa
Sunshine, trees and a wonderful view of the lake: the area around the Gumpe at the Königsbach waterfall in the Berchtesgaden National Park is probably one of the most popular photo scenes from Germany on Instagram.
But that's over for now - the area has been closed for at least five years.
"This should give nature time to recover," said the district office.
The ordinance issued by the Berchtesgadener Land district office as the lower nature conservation authority is due to come into force this Wednesday.
The formerly hidden place became known worldwide via social media.
According to the national park, thousands of photo tourists visit the pool at the waterfall every year and take their pictures in it - the so-called Natural Infinity Pool in the upper part is particularly popular.
Tourists trampled their way through paths
The result: garbage, noise, illegal campfires and repeated rescue operations for visitors in need.
In the past few summers, the guests have created an extensive network of trails with a length of at least three kilometers, it said.
As a result, the soil as well as the flora and fauna were seriously endangered.
The ordinance that has now been passed is intended to help the vegetation recover and close soil wounds.
A further block after the next five years cannot be ruled out.
ptz / dpa