Frustration at Geroldsee: natural jewel becomes a taboo zone

Swimming enthusiasts are at a loss: for some time now, a sign has been emblazoned on the much-loved sunbathing area at Geroldsee.

The message from the property owner is clear: "Do not enter!" The reason for this is reportedly also financial reasons.

The community knows the problem.

But there is no quick solution in sight.

Krün

– Christiane and Gisbert Graiff from Frankfurt are stunned in front of the locked gate at Geroldsee.

The two have been spending their holidays in Krün regularly for six years.

Relaxation always includes a visit to the "Geroldbad" on the west side of the popular natural jewel.

They were always happy to pay the two euros entrance fee per person.

"That was a fair price, and the owner always involved us in nice conversations, we felt very comfortable here."

The pensioners are all the more disappointed this year.

"We are very sad, the canopies, the footbridge, everything is gone, and you can't even get to the water through the fence," regrets the 64-year-old.

Above all, it was the unique view of the mountains that they enjoyed.

"Nowhere is it as beautiful as from here, we were also on the other side of the lake, but we don't like it that much there, it's not that easy to get into the water," adds his 61-year-old wife.

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Stunned: Christiane and Gisbert Graiff from Frankfurt are standing in front of the closed gate.

© Barbara Falkenberg

It is also very unfortunate for Alfred Heinle from Farchant that he is no longer allowed to visit the paradisiacal place at Geroldsee.

"It was a place of relaxation and reflection for me for decades." Unlike him and the Graiffs, not everyone is put off by signs and fences.

A group of girls has made themselves comfortable on the cordoned-off lawn.

They're a little queasy.

"We don't know if it's illegal that we're here on the property," explains one of them.

The girls weren't the only ones who flouted the ban on entry.

Another “guest” is outraged that you now have to pay five euros for parking (we reported), but are no longer allowed to swim.

"It doesn't go together.

Like the young people, he quickly got over the fence into the cordoned-off area.

That is why he has already stepped down in one place.

The owner is upset about this.

Not least because strangers had repeatedly damaged the lock, she once even called the police.

The older woman from Gerold, who does not wish to be named, is willing to provide information but does not want to read about it in the newspaper.

Ultimately, the locals blame the general envy of the people for the situation as it is today.

The fact that "her" bathing area is no longer open to the public applies at least until further notice.

According to reports, the woman got into trouble with the tax authorities.

"I can't officially say anything about that," says Thomas Schwarzenberger.

Krün's mayor (CSU) explains the situation as follows: "The meadows around the lake are all privately owned." Two or three of the owners make them available to bathers.

A local family from Gerold, until last year, charged an entrance fee of two euros on the west side of the lake.

"It was the custom for decades."

Was that legal though?

Schwarzenberger does not want to give an answer to this.

According to the head of town hall, the yellow sign with the inscription "Entrance prohibited" and the fence are not, because "due to the Bavarian constitution, access to nature must be guaranteed and free".

However, since the conservation period must also be taken into account at the same time, the situation is difficult.

Schwarzenberger has already submitted a proposal for quality to the owner family.

"As a municipality, we would lease the property and also take care of the mowing and general care, set up toilet houses so that the local population and holidaymakers can again offer this beautiful place for relaxation." Especially now that the area is no longer accessible , more and more bathers use the adjacent reed and moor belt as a sunbathing area.

"Of course, that's not in the interest of nature at all and therefore not in our interest either." But so far several talks have been unsuccessful, Schwarzenberger bites with his proposal to the family at least - for now - on granite.

There are also no toilet houses at other bathing lakes in the district.

District office spokesman Stephan Scharf

From the official side, the facts and background are not entirely clear.

For Stephan Scharf, spokesman for the district office, the matter is just as confused.

"The areas around the Geroldsee are private property." In principle, however, there is a free right of access in nature.

However, this can be restricted if the property is regularly visited by a large number of people and the yield is thereby significantly reduced or damaged or contaminated in an unreasonable manner.

"However, whether there is a reduction in yield, damage or contamination would have to be checked." He at least assumes "that past experience and the increased visitor pressure have led to this decision".

Whether the entrance fee of two euros, which has been demanded for several years, was legal, would have to be legally examined.

With regard to the lack of toilets and the resulting lack of hygiene, Scharf says: “There are no toilet houses at other bathing lakes in the district either.

There are no legal requirements here either.

In any case, the water quality of the lake is absolutely fine and has just been checked again by the health department.” He too is now hoping for an amicable arrangement.

"The municipality of Krün, together with the district office, is trying to find a solution that allows the area to continue to be used for swimming."