The city of Nordhausen is located in northern Thuringia on the Zorge River, on the southern edge of the Harz Mountains, and in the northwest of the fertile Goldene Aue region. Lake Sundhäuser is located near Sundhausen, a district of Nordhausen. As a result of gravel mining, several lakes were created between Bielen and Sundhausen, including Lake Sundhäuser and Lake Möwensee.
The clear water, with visibility that is sometimes excellent (up to 15m), and a diverse underwater world make this an ideal place for diving. Even at a depth of 30m, you usually don’t need a dive light.
The vegetation extends to a depth of 20 meters and is quite lush, often creating beautiful plays of light. You can often observe small creatures, crabs, and fish, some of which are quite impressive in terms of both number and size. These include schools of perch, as well as carp, pike, and eels.
A special highlight is the underwater city “Nordhusia”: Parts of the old former imperial city of Nordhausen were reconstructed on land, and the 17 segments were assembled in Lake Sundhäuser at a depth of 10 to 12 meters.
In addition to the city wall, half-timbered houses, and the cemetery, visitors can also see a church and, since 2014, the “Stadtpark,” which consists of three sculptures, a fountain, a gallows, and, of course, a few “park trees.”
Another highlight since 2019 has been “Art in the Sea” (KIS): Inspired by the work of Jason de Caires Taylor, who submerged concrete installations in the sea off the coast of Lanzarote, the “KIS” project was launched.
Concrete sculptor Arno Mester from Arnsberg was commissioned for this project. The theme of the installation is “People on the Move,” and it features a group of seven figures in everyday situations, placed on an underwater ridge in the lake.
Since mid-2023, there has been another attraction in the lake—the dragon Sundi: The steel dragon is 2.80 m high and 3 m long and hovers at a depth of 6 meters in the lake.
Another lake in the immediate vicinity that’s perfect for diving is Möwensee: a disused gravel pit with equally crystal-clear water. In several places throughout the lake, remnants of the former gravel extraction operations still lie in the water. Some gravel banks extend quite shallowly into the lake and then drop off to greater depths. Fantastic visibility and a small island in the middle of Möwensee make the lake a truly memorable experience.
Accommodations are provided at the “Pension am Sundhäuser See,” which is affiliated with the dive center. It consists of vacation rentals, apartments, vacation homes, camping pods, and bungalows; a drying room is also available for storing equipment.