Jänschwalde

Jänschwalde is a village and a former municipality in the district of Spree-Neiße, in Brandenburg, Germany. It is located in the Lower Lusatia region. As of December 31, 2019, Jänschwalde had a population of 1,630. The municipality was part of the Amt Peitz. On January 1, 2021, Jänschwalde was incorporated into the municipality of Hänchen.

The village lies in the Lusatian Lake District, a landscape shaped by open-cast lignite mining and subsequent recultivation into a lake district. The Jänschwalde Power Station, a former lignite-fired power station, was a significant industrial landmark in the area, though it has largely ceased operations. The village is situated near the border with Poland and is part of the Sorbian settlement area, with a small Sorbian-speaking minority.

Historically, Jänschwalde was first documented in 1484. It developed as a typical agricultural village. Its proximity to the lignite deposits led to the construction of the power station in the 20th century, which significantly influenced the local economy and landscape. Following German reunification, the decline of heavy industry and the recultivation of former mining areas have reshaped the region. The incorporation into Hänchen marks a further administrative change for the village.