Geierswalde, or Lejno in the Sorbian language, is a very old village. It is assumed that it goes back as late as the year 900. ‘Gysirswalde’ was first documented in 1401. Nowadays, the village, one of a total of nine villages in the municipality of Elsterheide, boasts not only a lakeside location on Geierswalder See, but lies at the heart of the Lusatian Lake District, about halfway between Hoyerswerda and Senftenberg. The village has a population of about 340. It is characterised by numerous three- and four-sided farms that almost form a world of their own. Geierswalde is moreover popular with new residents. A host of new houses has been built that harmoniously blend with the village’s general appearance.

The triangle of church, vicarage and pub constitutes the historical village centre. The church itself dates back to 1678/1679. The steeple, now tilted, was added as late as 1792. Its unusual angle is due to the draining of groundwater caused by mining activity. The pit’s edge was only a few hundred yards away. The building’s west wall collapsed to a remaining height of 23 feet (7 m) in late 1988. Soon afterwards the steeple was saved from further tilting by the insertion of a massive anchor.

The first known owner of today’s pub ‘Zur Grubenlampe’ was Carl August Säuberlich, who hailed from Lohsa. Today, the pub also offers holiday accommodation.

Geierswalder See with its beautiful beach is immediately due north of the eponymous village. The lake has been open to tourism since 2004 and a corresponding infrastructure is being developed.