Saxon switzerland national park - germany inspiration. Saxon Switzerland National Park

What is Saxon Switzerland? Photos of this area resemble the picturesque mountains of the Alpine country. Although the Elbe sandstone hills are located quite far from Switzerland. More precisely, in the southeast of Saxony, on the very border with the Czech Republic. In principle, the hilly terrain begins at Dresden itself. Nature, which is the best architect in the world, managed to create from the bottom sediments of the ancient ocean that splashed here millions of years ago, bizarre spiers, arches, towers and intricate figures. Swiss artists Anton Graf and Adrian Zing, who taught at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, noticed the similarity of the local mountains with their native Alps. And although the sandy hills of Saxony are far from the four-thousanders, the landscapes here are amazing. The mountains cut through numerous gorges, small rivers murmur everywhere, cascading into the Elbe. How to get to this wonderful land and what to see, read in this article.

Saxon Switzerland: how to get there

The most convenient starting point for traveling around this picturesque region is Dresden. If you live in the city, then you can get to the mountains by train in just half an hour. You need to get off at the station of the resort town of Rathen. From this point, which is located on the right bank of the Elbe, it is convenient to start climbing the Bastion Bridge. And if you take the train a couple more stops, you get to Bad Schandau. From this resort town, an old tram departs, plying to the Lichtenhain Falls. When choosing a second settlement as a starting point for hiking in the mountains, it is necessary, as they say in the reviews, to take care of suitable shoes, since not all Saxon Switzerland is equipped with railings and comfortable steps, like the Artists' Trail leading from Rathen to Bastei.

Easy one day itinerary

If you have little experience of trekking in the mountains behind you or you are burdened by years (or small children), the reviews advise you to take a walk along the convenient path to Bastei. This natural rock formation is named so because of the citadel, which in the Middle Ages controlled the Elbe valley. A trip to Bastei will be successful even in cloudy weather. Then Saxon Switzerland will remind you of Japanese mountain prints. But walking here is quite comfortable, since the elevation difference is small (relative height - 194 m, and absolute - 305 m above ocean level). The path - the so-called Artists' Trail - is equipped with benches and railings. Passing through the sandy cliffs of Bastei, you can reach Lake Amsel with the waterfall of the same name. Here, reviews advise you to have a bite to eat in a cafe and go further along the trail, following the sign Schwedenlöcher. You will come out to the observation deck over the cliff. Well, then the path will take you to the old, known since the thirteenth century, Rathen. A castle (Burg Altrathen) has been preserved in the town. A non-motorized ferry will take you to the other side of the Elbe, where the kids will love the miniature railway museum.

Journey to Königstein

This impregnable medieval fortress is definitely advised to visit when traveling around the edge of Saxon Switzerland reviews. What to see in one day? Of course, the castle itself. This fortress is located in the town of the same name Königstein. It was built by the Czechs, and the citadel was first mentioned in 1233 in the charter of King Wenceslas I. In 1459, the castle, along with the lands, passed to the Margraviate of Meissen (modern Saxony, Germany). In the fortress there is the second deepest well in Europe - one hundred and fifty-two and a half meters. The local castle became the birthplace of the famous Meissen porcelain. The thing is that the alchemist Böttger was imprisoned in the fortress at the beginning of the 18th century. The prisoner had complete freedom to conduct his chemical experiments, as a result of which porcelain was invented. And during the Second World War, the collection of the Dresden Gallery was kept in Königstein.

Lichtenhain Falls

This half-man-made wonder of nature is located on the Kirnich stream. At first, a small waterfall did not arouse the interest of tourists. Therefore, in 1830 it was decided to dam it up with a sluice. An enterprising local resident opened a restaurant near the waterfall and opened a dam for money to the music. To look at a beautiful sight, tourists climbed the plateau of Saxon Switzerland. For their convenience, a narrow-gauge tram was launched in 1898. Reviews advise you to wait until the "dam keeper" opens the gateway. Three minutes of fascinating action are provided to you.

Even in the middle of carefully built-up Europe, you can find a "piece" of wildlife - this is the Saxon Switzerland National Park.

Today, there are more than 2,000 national parks all over the planet, located in 120 states. All of them are completely different. Some are very small, such as "Hamra" (Sweden), which occupies only 0.28 square meters. kilometers. And there are huge ones, like "Northeast Greenland", under which 972 thousand square meters are occupied.

But the most important thing that unites all these parks is their goal - to protect nature from dangerous human impact. People are allowed into such places, but under full control, in order to still preserve the natural heritage for posterity.

Germany and Europe

In Europe, there are about 300 parks, and in Germany there are 16. And this is another confirmation that even with a high population density, it is possible to preserve wildlife oases.

"Saxon Switzerland"

This park area is located in Saxony, near Dresden (Germany). Occupied territory - 93.5 sq. kilometers. Here is a unique landscape, mostly mountainous, represented by Elbe sandstones.

It is believed that earlier on the site of the mountains there was a sea. At the end of the Cretaceous period, the sea receded, under the influence of wind and erosion processes, mountains were formed. Today, these are bizarre sand figures, dark gorges and narrow valleys.

The park was founded back in 1956, at that time the country had a program to restore and protect national natural areas. The official founding date is 1990.

At the beginning of the 20th century, millions of tourists came here, and the authorities had to restrict access to the park. There are areas here where visitors are not allowed at all.

Location

You can get to the park "Saxon Switzerland" by train, from some 30 minutes on the way. The territory of the natural zone begins 15 kilometers from the border of the city, in a southeast direction.

The Germans call the city of Pirna the gates of the park, in which only 40 thousand people live. Most of the buildings in Pirna, like Dresden, were built from sandstone mined from the Elbe Mountains. The park area extends up to the border with the Czech Republic, where a similar park is located.

Flora and fauna

The most unique plants grow in "Saxon Switzerland". And where access for visitors is limited, in the eastern part, rare animals live, these are the marten, otter, kingfisher, dormouse and black stork.

There are special ecological trails in the park. Where ordinary travelers can see snakes and vipers, deer and bats. In the ponds you can see trout and salmon.

There are many viewing platforms in the park, from where you can enjoy an amazing view of the open spaces and unique nature.

Fortress Bastei

Most reviews of "Saxon Switzerland" are associated with the Bastei fortress. This castle is located at an altitude of 305 meters above sea level, on the right bank of the Elbe River. For the first time this fortress was mentioned in 1592. Already since 1800 tourists began to come here. The observation deck offers a view of the winding river bed and the Königstein fortress, the village of Reiten. If you are lucky and the weather is clear, you will be able to see the entire territory of the German part of the park.

Bridge

No less famous landmark of "Saxon Switzerland" is the Bastei Bridge. It has been popular for over 200 years. It was erected in 1824 from wood. After 2 years, the first trading tents appeared on the bridge. And in 1851 they carried out a complete reconstruction and built a sandstone bridge.

The artist Friedrich Kaspar immortalized this architectural creation on his canvas, and the photographer Krone Herman left a commemorative plaque on one of the rocks of the bridge.

The path that runs along the bridge is called the “Path of Artists”. This is a 112 km road. With the increase in the number of tourists, protective fences appeared on the bridge, and a restaurant appeared instead of a hut.

The length of the Bastei bridge is 76.5 meters, it runs through the deepest gorge (40 meters).

Fortress

In "Saxon Switzerland" - another of the popular places. It is located on a rocky plateau, the height above sea level is 240 meters. In the middle of the castle grounds is the deepest well in all of Saxony. It also has the status of the second deep well in Europe.

The first mention of the building was found in the charter of King Wenceslas I (Czech Republic) dated 1233. At that time it belonged to the Czech kingdom. Due to its important commercial importance, the fortress was expanded. The castle was even visited by Peter I.

In 1459, the boundaries were already clearly defined, and the fortress passed into the possession of the Margraviate of Meissen (the border of the German Empire).

During the First and Second World Wars, the castle served as a place where prisoners of war were kept. Also during World War II, the Dresden Art Gallery was hidden here.

For visitors, the doors of the fortress were opened in 1955. Now there is a military exposition, a restaurant and a souvenir shop.

Arriving in the park, you should definitely visit this impregnable castle, which was built in the XII century. More precisely, it was cut down in a basalt wall. The main problem for the builders was that they could not supply water to the castle. For a long 22 years, the miners tried to break through the well, and they still succeeded. For 1 day it was possible to break through the basalt only by 1 centimeter. Previously, prisoners from high-ranking classes were kept here. And in one of the towers was kept the favorite of Augustus the Strong - Anna Kosel.

Mountaineering

The magnificent mountain landscape of "Saxon Switzerland" simply attracts climbers here like a magnet. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, special rules were introduced in the park for mountain lovers, which are aimed at preventing the destruction of sandstone. For example, the use of rings and ropes is possible only as insurance, but not for moving along the route. No other auxiliary means can be used on the territory of the Bastei Mountains, the same wedges and magnesia. All mountains where climbing is allowed are already equipped with safety hooks.

River, waterfall and tram

The Elbe river flows through the entire park, it has a winding channel. To move to the other side, berths are equipped, from which motor ships, boats and old paddle steamers leave. It is from the water that a beautiful landscape opens up to the majestic mountains, and the slow movement of water transport allows you to enjoy the local beauties to the maximum and take great photos.

Excursions in "Saxon Switzerland" are many. So, from the city of Bad Schandau, you can take a mountain tram to the Lichtenhainer waterfall itself, although since 2010 only half the way, the rest will have to be walked.

Previously, it was a small threshold. In 1830, a dam was erected on the stream, which is opened to release the accumulated water. To date, the dam is opened every 30 minutes, but only for 3 minutes.

The park has a unique tram line called Karnichtalbahn. This is a single-rail track, which has several sidings. The starting station is the city of Bad Schandau. The tram was launched in 2010, but due to frequent flooding, the line had to be shortened, and the trailers move along a shortened route - 7 kilometers. However, throughout these kilometers you can see half-timbered houses, picturesque rocks and the rapid flow of the river. Therefore, even riding a tram, not a single tourist will leave without a photo of "Saxon Switzerland".

Resort

Band-Shandau is not just a city on the border of the park and the Czech Republic, but a real modern resort. The first mentions date back to 1445, and already in 1467 the settlement received the status of a city. And since 1800 it has been an official resort. The city is famous not only for its hotels, but also for its own tram line. The main attraction of the city is the central square, where buildings from the Renaissance era have been preserved. There is a botanical garden here, where more than 1500 unique plants are collected.

Also in the city there is an “Ice Age Stone”, on which there is an inscription that it is in this place that the ice cover of Scandinavia ends.

There are many rehabilitation clinics in the city, most of which specialize in orthopedics and the treatment of the skeletal and muscular apparatus. There are sanatoriums specializing in cardiovascular diseases and other pathologies. The clinics of Band-Shandau are often visited by world-class stars, in particular, Elbresidenz is a favorite place. Movies were even filmed in some hotels.

How to get there

"Saxon Switzerland" is located on the border of two states: Germany and the Czech Republic. If you go from Prague, the road will take 125 kilometers. If you leave Dresden, then only 30 kilometers.

If you are driving from the Czech Republic, it is best to rent a car and drive along the E55 highway. Estimated travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes. If you get by public transport, then you should go to the city of Bad Schandrau or Rathen, where, in fact, you can stay. There are no direct trains in this direction, so you need to be prepared that you will have to make at least 1 transfer. From the city of Bad Schandau to the park, you still have to take a bus, and Rathen is located on the Alba River, and on the other side there is a park.

There is a railway connection between Dresden and Rathen, and the travel time is 30 minutes. The frequency of trains is every hour. Already in the city you can transfer to the ferry and get into the park.

Despite the fact that the purpose of creating the park is completely contrary to tourism, nevertheless, "Saxon Switzerland" is 400 kilometers of paths for pedestrians, while 75% of the territory is closed to the public. In addition, almost 50 kilometers are provided for cyclists, and 12,600 routes have been created for mountaineers.

Hi friends. Saxon Switzerland is located near Dresden. This national park is one of the best not only in Germany, but all over the world. What makes it unique? Firstly, beauty: a combination of mountains and forests, the purest air. Secondly, on the territory of this area there are a huge number of natural and historical attractions.

Germany. federal state of Saxony. Saxon Suitzerland National Park (Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz).

The fortress was visited by the Russian emperor Peter I.

Now there is an open-air museum with a military-historical exposition.

A restaurant and souvenir shops are open for tourists.

Video: Autumn festival in the picturesque Elbsandsteingebirge Herbsturlaub im malerischen Elbsandsteingebirge

Not far from Dresden is another impregnable stronghold - the fortress of Stolpen.

The first fortifications in its place were built in the XII century. The first deep well was dug on the territory.

And at different times state criminals lived within the walls of this fortress: the Countess Kozelskaya and several Meissen bishops.

Countess Anna Constance von Kosel, nee von Brockdorf, married von Hoim - favorite of August the Strong from 1705 to 1713. She spent the next half century in captivity in the Stolpen fortress as a state criminal.

The rock fortress Neuraten is also interesting.

For a long time it served as a fortification for robbers, of whom there were oh so many here. Then it was destroyed, now partially restored. It offers stunning views of the Bastei Bridge.

Robbers were a serious problem for local residents and the state. In memory of these times, the Flessersteig robber castle was restored.

natural attractions

Of the natural attractions of the park, it is worth highlighting the Lichtenhain Falls.

It is located on the territory of the Kirnich river valley. Its first written references date back to 1812.

But it might not be. Once upon a time, a small waterfall did not arouse much interest, so it was decided to build a retractable dam here. The dam was managed by a local resident who opened it for money.

Tourists began to flock to this event. The popularity of the waterfall grew, and soon it became one of the main attractions of Saxon Switzerland.

And now, as in those days, every hour and a half the dam is slightly opened, and exactly three minutes the water falls down. For a greater impression, the natural attraction is accompanied by music.

Tourist routes

It is at the waterfall that several main tourist routes begin.

• Route to Kushtal

Kushtal is a rocky gate located at an altitude of more than 300 meters.

In the 15th century there was a fortress here. Traditions say that during the Thirty Years' War, local peasants hid their cattle here.

A less attractive story says that the inhabitants of the fortress hid stolen cows here.

The ruins of the fortress can be viewed by climbing the narrow "heavenly stairs".

• Another route leads to Groser Winterberg.

It starts at the waterfall and leads to the highest point of the mountain through the Artists' Trail.

• It is worth taking a ride along the Kirnichtalbahn tram line to the waterfall itself.

This is the smallest tram line in Saxony. Its length is only 7.9 km. It links Bad Schandau with the waterfall.

The tram transports passengers all year round. In winter, it runs every 70 minutes, in summer - every half an hour.

• It is better to come to Saxon Switzerland not for one or two days - this is very little for such a park.

In addition to the sights that we talked about, the city of Pirna should become another must-see point.

Some of the houses here were built in the 16th century. Of course, they were repeatedly rebuilt, so it is more interesting to observe the bizarre combination of architectural styles and trends.

Rock Theater Rathen (Felsenbühne Rathen)

Rathen is a small resort town where a summer theater has been operating since 1936. This theater is a fun entertainment and, rather, a tribute to tradition, since the plays here are played out with a simple dramatic plot of an adventure orientation (for example, the play Winnetou I about the Indians), plus fairy tales and, of course, simple operas. Actors are professional, real all-rounders. The hall can accommodate 2000 people and is in demand by both locals and tourists.

Felsenbühne Rathen

Guests can reach the city of Rathen by bicycle, motorbike, car, or along the Elbe in a pleasure boat. From Dresden, S-Bahn trains run every 30 minutes to this unique resort and you will be there in about 40 minutes.

Practical information

It is best to come to Saxon Switzerland not on long weekends and holidays. This is the only way to avoid crowds of tourists.

Official website of the national park: www.nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de

Saxon Switzerland website: www.saechsische-schweiz.de

The park is located near Dresden.

Where to stay in Saxon Switzerland National Park

Now many housing options have appeared on the service Airbnb. We have written how to use this service. If you do not find a free room in the hotel, then look for accommodation through this booking site.

We offer good options for hotels in Saxon Switzerland

How to get there

Getting here is easy by train or bus from many places. In this case, your route will greatly depend on the point from which you begin to explore the park.

• From Dresden

By car, you will reach the park in about 50 minutes along the A17 and B172 highways.

By train and bus from Hauptbahnhof Dresden.

You can come to the Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz from.

On the way to visit .

Saxon Suitzerland on the map

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Saxon Switzerland (Dresden, Germany) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.

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This national park can definitely be called one of the most beautiful in Germany. Its predecessor appeared in the middle of the 20th century, and after the fall Berlin Wall The park has acquired its modern form. Features of Saxon Switzerland, firstly, in an absolutely fantastic mountain-forest landscape, and secondly, in the presence of a number of outstanding natural and historical attractions on the territory.

Many travel to Saxon Switzerland solely to look at bastei bridge or the Königstein fortress. But in a good way it is worth staying at least a week, or even two. Go rock climbing or equestrian sports, ride a bike or sail along the Elbe in pleasure boats or rowing boats, roam the mountains, breathe the air of dense forests. Saxon Switzerland is a real goldmine for understanding tourists arriving in Dresden.

Saxon Switzerland is a real goldmine for understanding tourists arriving in Dresden.

Bastei

Bastei is the name of a mountain gorge and the most monumental rock that rises almost 200 m above the Elbe River. This creviced and jutting rock offers unparalleled photo opportunities, not to mention the breathtaking views. The local places were discovered a long time ago, and their charm made Bastei one of the very first destinations for mass tourism in the country and Europe as a whole. Already in 1812, a hotel appeared here, and at the turn of the century, creative people and just travelers around Europe literally poured in here.

The attractiveness of Bastei today is not limited to the views alone. Here is the famous bridge of the same name, built between sheer rocky cliffs and so organically inscribed in them that in the days of film cameras, the film was tormented by reels on it. Another attractive place of Bastei is Malerweg, the “Path of Artists”. It is easy to guess that this path winds along the edge of the cliff and opens up such landscapes that painters from many countries spent whole days here.

Kushtal

The name “Kushtal” is translated very prosaically (“cowshed”) and in no way reflects the beauty that a tourist who has passed through Kushtal can see through. This is the second largest rock gate in the Elbe Mountains: their height exceeds 10 m, width - more than 16, depth - almost 25. This most interesting natural attraction attracted travelers so much that a restaurant was opened right near Kusztal in 1824. And just above Kushtal you can see the ruins of a medieval fortress, which can be reached through a narrow rocky gap, along the “stairway to heaven”.

Lichtenhain Falls

Saxon Switzerland's most famous waterfall, the Lichtenhain, did not naturally look as dramatic as it does today. But tourists had to be attracted by something, and in 1830 the bed of a small stream was blocked by a dam. Now, in order to swim further along the stream, it was necessary to pay a fee to a local resident who opened the dam and very quickly guessed to keep a small restaurant next to it. Later, self-made guides and porters pulled up here, who were constantly “on duty” at the dam, and the waterfall became a full-fledged tourist attraction. And after the Kirnichtal narrow-gauge railway was opened, hundreds and thousands of tourists came to see the waterfall throughout the year. The ancient dam was repaired at the end of the 20th century, and today you can look at the "birth of a waterfall" every half an hour when it is unlocked.

At the Lichtenhain Falls, the Malerweg, the Artists' Path, ends.

Königstein Fortress

The majestic citadel is located on the mountain of the same name and near the city of the same name. The fortress, built presumably in the 11th-12th centuries, stands on a 240-meter cliff above the Elbe and once belonged to the Czech Republic. In the 15th century she went to Meissen, and a monastery was founded here, but not for long. Subsequently, the fortress was used as a prison. Today it is a unique monument of culture and history and just a wonderfully picturesque place. Stunning views open from the fortress wall, the castle of St. George is harsh and impregnable against the sky, ancient artillery pieces still stand on the ramparts, and the Königstein well (150 m plus) is still the deepest in Saxony and the second in Europe. Naturally, there are also enough tourists in the fortress, so a historical museum and a restaurant are open here.

Fortress Stolpen

This fortress is closer to Dresden and lower above sea level, but it also has its famous well. The peculiarity of Stolpensky is that it is punched in basalt, a much harder rock. It took 22 years to hollow out the well (the Königstein one was struck 10 times faster), for which it was heated by making a fire, and then water was poured from above, destroying the rock in such a logical, but not fast method. Moreover, having already reached the water, they managed to raise it from such a depth only 30 years after the start of work. Today, the Stolpensky well with a depth of more than 80 m is the deepest in the world, punched into the basalt rock.

Rathen rock theater

The resort town of Rathen decided to acquire its own summer theater in 1936. What was done, and in Rathen they began to stage plays of simple content with an adventure plot. This tradition took root so much that after the Second World War the theater was used for its original purpose. Today it is still functioning and can accommodate up to 2000 people. In the summer season, plays about Indians, light operas based on fairy tales, etc. are staged here.

Practical information

The national park starts about 30 km from Dresden. You can get here by train or bus to different settlements, depending on which part of the national park you plan to start exploring. The historical narrow-gauge train Kirnichtal is especially popular, which still carries travelers to the top ten “most-most” places in the park.