Mail delivered by boat to a German village

In the heart of Germany’s Spreewald Forest delta, a unique postal tradition has resumed with the arrival of spring. Andrea Bunar, a 55-year-old postal worker, has returned to delivering mail by barge through the intricate waterways southeast of Berlin, continuing a service that dates back 129 years.

“The start of the season is always special for me,” Bunar said as she embarked on her yellow postal barge in full uniform. “After the long winter break, I enjoy being in nature and back on the water.”

For 14 years, Bunar has been the lifeline to the village of Lehde, located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of the German capital. The isolated community, which resembles a verdant Teutonic miniature of Venice, is the only place in Germany where mail is delivered by watercraft rather than traditional methods.

During winter months, Bunar delivers mail by car, navigating icy roads in a process she describes as cumbersome and time-consuming. But from April through October, she returns to her preferred mode of transportation: a nine-meter-long (29-foot) barge that she skillfully maneuvers through shallow waters using a single long oar for rowing, steering, and navigation.

The postal route spans approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) of waterways, with Bunar depositing mail Monday through Saturday in boxes residents have positioned along the riverbanks. Her weekly deliveries amount to around 600 letters and 80 packages, a journey that typically takes about two hours to complete.

“I already delivered an e-scooter, a lawnmower and a fridge — sometimes my barge feels like a little container ship,” she explained, noting a shift in recent years toward fewer letters and more packages. On her first day of the spring season this Wednesday, her cargo included a large saw alongside the usual bills and correspondence.

The Spreewald region is renowned for its extensive network of 300 kilometers (185 miles) of waterways that wind through lush forests and wetlands. As an inland delta, the Spree River—which also flows through Berlin—branches into hundreds of small canals, creating a unique ecosystem that has earned UNESCO biosphere designation to protect its diverse fauna and flora.

The history of Lehde’s water-based postal service reflects changing communication patterns in rural Germany. Prior to 1894, villagers collected their mail just once weekly after Sunday church services. However, as urbanization accelerated and the need for regular long-distance communication grew, the German postal service adapted by increasing delivery frequency and, in Lehde’s case, establishing the distinctive barge delivery system.

Beyond her primary mail delivery duties, Bunar also sells stamps to residents along her route and accepts outgoing mail. This comprehensive service helps maintain connections for the remote community, balancing traditional methods with modern needs.

For Bunar, the role represents more than employment—it’s a calling. “This is and has been my dream job all along,” she said with a smile. “Being on the water is just so relaxing—it slows down life.”

As package deliveries continue to increase in the age of e-commerce, this centuries-old delivery method demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability. The contrast between Bunar’s traditional barge and the modern items she transports—from electronics to appliances—highlights the fascinating intersection of historical practice and contemporary life in this unique corner of Germany.