Post buoy in Lake Steinhuder Meer

What began as a playful wager among sailing students from Mardorf has become a beloved maritime tradition on the Steinhuder Meer. In 1964, a buoy was transformed into a functional post buoy – an idea so charming and original that it soon gained official approval and support from the German postal service. Since then, this floating mailbox has been anchored every year from May to September, ready to carry greetings from the lake to destinations all around the world. Maintained by the Segelclub Garbsen, the Postboje is emptied regularly, and every postcard dropped inside receives a distinctive commemorative stamp. Around 2,000 postcards find their way into the buoy each season, making it not only a delightful curiosity but also a living symbol of the lake’s vibrant community spirit. The Postboje at Steinhuder Meer invites visitors to take part in a tradition that blends local charm, nautical adventure, and a touch of nostalgia — a small but memorable experience that connects people and places, carried on the gentle waves of Lower Saxony’s largest lake.