Post buoy in Lake Steinhuder Meer

When the Steinhuder Meer lies still under a thin layer of winter ice, calm and quiet, the story of the Post Buoy continues to fascinate visitors. What began as a playful wager between sailing students and their instructors in Mardorf turned into one of northern Germany’s most unusual postal traditions. To prove that mail could indeed be collected from the lake, an old buoy was transformed into a floating postbox – a charming idea that soon gained official approval from the German Post. Since 1964, every summer, this bright yellow buoy has floated in the Steinhuder Meer, entrusted to the care of the Segelclub Garbsen. Letters and postcards dropped into it receive a special stamp before making their journey to friends and loved ones around the world. Even in winter, when the buoy is safely stored away, its story drifts through the frosty air – a piece of living lake folklore that blends maritime tradition with warm-hearted creativity. A visit to the Steinhuder Meer during the colder months offers a different atmosphere: quiet shores, crisp air and the magical thought that, once the ice melts, the legendary Post Buoy will return to the waves to carry messages once more.