Strong engineering heritage displayed by Wehr, as pointed out by Willingmann in Saxony-Anhalt.
The Pretzienwehr, an indispensable component of flood protection in the Greater Magdeburg area, has been a vital part of the region's defence against natural disasters since its commissioning in 1875. This historic structure, the largest operational protective gate weir in Europe, has been opened a total of 64 times over the years, with the most recent opening during the winter flood of 2023/24 on December 28, 2023.
The Pretzienwehr's construction, along with the 18-kilometer-long bypass canal, took place between 1868 and 1875 at an initial cost of around 4.4 million marks. Since then, it has been opened for a total of 615 days, playing a crucial role in managing floodwaters. During floods, the Pretzienwehr is opened to allow about a third of the Elbe floodwater to flow east of Schönebeck and Magdeburg via the bypass canal.
After the devastating 2002 century flood, the facility underwent a complete renovation, costing approximately five million euros. Since then, eight construction measures with a total volume of around 52.6 million euros have been implemented at the bypass dykes. Currently, renovation work is underway on approximately 4.4 kilometers of the left Elbe bypass dyke, with completion scheduled for 2027 at an estimated cost of around 7.4 million euros.
In addition to its practical uses, the Pretzienwehr is also being considered for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list by the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs agreed to include the Pretzienwehr in the tentative list of cultural and natural heritage sites reported by the Federal Republic of Germany to UNESCO at the end of 2023. If successful, the Pretzienwehr would receive the UNESCO seal of approval, providing additional impetus to the region.
The potential UNESCO recognition was first mentioned in a statement by the Ministry of Science, Energy, Environment and Climate Protection of the State of Saxony-Anhalt on September 5, 2025. The inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list is a long-term goal, and the UNESCO approval would be a significant achievement for the Pretzienwehr. According to Willingmann, UNESCO recognition would be a testament to the structure's historical and cultural significance.
The Magdeburg Waterways and Shipping Authority (Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Magdeburg) is currently planning six further construction works on the Pretzienwehr bypass canal route with estimated total costs of 21.3 million euros. These plans, along with the potential UNESCO recognition, ensure that the Pretzienwehr continues to play a vital role in the Greater Magdeburg area's flood protection and preserves its historical and cultural significance for future generations.
