The Long Paints

Summary A bird sanctuary of international significante and an important section of the National Park Neusiedler See Seewinkel: That’s the Lange Lacke, the largest of the 40 saltwater pools in the Seewinkel. Among some smaller saltwater pools and meadows in the south, the conservation zone Apetlon-Lange Lacke consists of the saltwater pools Lange Lacke, eastern and western Wörthenlacke as well as the large spaces of grazing land north-eastern of the village Apetlon. In the past saltwater pools were the characteristic elements of the landscape in the Seewinkel. Today they have disappeared to a large extent. In 1850 there were about 120 saltwater pools, nowadays there are only 40 left. That shows a dramatic decrease of two thirds. However these saltwater pools are unique in Europe and they are essential habitats for various animal species and plants.