Saxon Switzerland and the Königstein Fortress is a protected area near Dresden that attracts millions of visitors every year. Unique flora and fauna, many hiking trails delight nature lovers with their beauty, and the bizarre landscape created by nature itself, impregnable fortresses and castles, luxurious parks and palaces evoke genuine admiration among travelers from all over the world. This national park is rightfully considered one of the best not only in Germany, but throughout the world.
Briefly about the Saxon Switzerland National Park
The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located 125 km from Prague and 30 km from Dresden at an altitude of 556 m above sea level and covers an area of 93 square kilometers. It is a mountainous area with about 1000 hills.
Most high point The park is the Grosse Winterberg (Great Winter Mountain) - its height is 723 meters.
This landscape reserve can confidently be called one of the most beautiful places in Germany. What gives it a special charm are the quaint rocks covered with forests and whole line amazing natural and historical attractions.
The geographical name of this area is the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The sea once splashed on the site of the mountain range, and the mountain peaks were at its bottom. After the Cretaceous period, the sea retreated and exposed rocks with an unusual landscape, narrow valleys and gloomy gorges.
However, this area was declared a protected area only in 1956 in order to protect nature and unique attractions due to the huge influx of travelers. At the same time, access to certain territories was prohibited or limited.
There are still areas closed to visitors - they are indicated by red shading on the map. You can view the map at the entrance to the reserve.
“Saxon Switzerland” is one of the most visited places not only in Germany, but also in Europe as a whole. Many tourists come here solely to see the famous Bastei mountain range, rising above the Elbe to a height of 194 meters, a deep 40-meter gorge between the rocks and no less than famous bridge Bastei, which is the symbol of Saxon Switzerland.
Another attraction runs through the mountain range - the “Artists' Trail” or Malerweg. Along this 112-kilometer-long trail, all the most important sights of the National Park are located.
Kuhstall is a rock gate in the Elbe Mountains, striking in its size: its height is more than 10 m, its width is more than 16 m, its depth is about 25 m. The opening in the rocks is formed by the Elbe current. Raising your head up, a little higher than Kushtal, you will see the ruins of a medieval fortress. To get a better look at them, just climb the steep stairs carved into a narrow rocky “corridor”.
Another attraction is the Lichtenhain Falls. This is a place that tourists fell in love with back in 1830. This is where the “Artists’ Trail” leads. At first it was a small rocky stream, which one of the local residents turned into beautiful waterfall by building a small dam. True, water did not fall from the rocks all the time, but only at the request of the guests - for a fee. However, the spectacle of jets and rainbow splashes was very spectacular.
These days, the waterfall operates on schedule and is completely free. A number of hiking trails lead from and to it.
In addition to natural attractions, the park contains many historical monuments, in particular approximately 2,000 castles. Just look at the Pillnitz Palace, which consists of three buildings: the Water Palace, the Upland Palace and the New Palace.
In the past it was the country residence of the Saxon monarchs. Today the restored palace is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Active recreation in the park
The Saxon Switzerland National Park is a real haven for climbers. There are about 1,100 peaks open to climbing. However, in order to preserve fragile sandstone rocks from destruction, special rules have been developed for those who like to climb mountains.
For example, ropes and rings are only allowed to be used as a safety net, not for propelling oneself forward, and many aids are prohibited altogether. Therefore, you should not climb too high, especially for beginners.
There are also many cycling routes here. The attractions mentioned above can not only be explored on foot, but also driven around on a two-wheeler. Even for people with disabilities all conditions have been created for you to comfortably spend time in one of most beautiful places peace.
Königstein Fortress and its attractions
The Königstein Fortress (Festung Königstien) is another must-see attraction. It is located on the mountain of the same name on the left bank of the Elbe, 15 kilometers from the city of Pirna and 30 kilometers from Dresden.
Rising 240 meters above the Elbe (361 m above sea level), the fortress covers an area of about 9.5 hectares, the height of its walls ranges from 36 to 42 m. For centuries, the medieval fortress served as a refuge for Saxon kings, as well as a repository for their wealth, including and the state treasury.
On the territory of the fortress you can see a lot of interesting things, for example, the famous garrison church (Garnisonkirche) - Garrison Church of St. Martin. Built in 1676, this Romanesque castle chapel was the first garrison church in Saxony. Today it is open to parishioners and pilgrims. Services and weddings are held here.
No less interesting is the old armory, which preserves the history of Saxon weaponry and military affairs.
You should definitely visit the treasury museum Neues Grunes Gewolbe, which, like a real box, houses the collections of jewelry of Saxon electors and kings.
The architecture is also impressive interior decoration museum.
You should also see Georgenburg - the Imperial Castle, originally called Kaiserburg, which over time began to be used as a prison, as well as Magdalenenburg - Magdalene Castle, which is a huge storage facility for wine and other provisions. It was here that the “bottomless” barrel of wine of Augustus the Strong himself was kept.
Particularly attractive to tourists is the Friedrichsburg pavilion, where there is a real miracle of technology - a unique banquet table, which, using a special mechanism, rises into the festive hall from the kitchen located on the floor below.
History and significance of the Königstein fortress
The first mention of the fortress dates back to 1233. At that time it was located on the territory of Bohemia. The fortress was built on a huge flat rock to protect the city.
The only entrance to its territory consists of a chain of portals, bridges and tunnels. Behind them there is an entire settlement, consisting of several dozen buildings, separated by streets and squares. The buildings were built in different time, so their architectural styles different and at the same time harmonious.
Königstein is translated from German as “Royal Stone”, which speaks volumes, in particular about the significance of the building. The fortress, located on top of a powerful rock mass with almost vertical slopes and protected by thick walls, seems absolutely impregnable. It is no coincidence that during its centuries-old history it has never been attacked.
From historical sources It is known that as a result of countless military disagreements, Königstein finally came into the possession of Saxony in 1459. In the 16th century, Duke George the Bearded attempted to turn the fortress into a Celestine monastery. However, in 1524 the monastery ceased to exist due to the fact that Saxony became Protestant.
Throughout its history, the fortress was repeatedly rebuilt and completed. During two world wars, the citadel served as a prison for prisoners of war.
IN last days The Second World War, when the outcome was predetermined, the commandant of the fortress surrendered it to Soviet soldiers without a fight.
In 1955, Königstein was recognized as a cultural and historical monument, and a museum was organized on its territory.
The fortress from the inside or what is inside the walls of the citadel
The seemingly impregnable fortress is open to tourists. There is a lot to see behind its walls. Now there are about 50 different buildings: a garrison church, a treasury, barracks, military fortifications, armories, storage facilities for gunpowder and various valuables, wine cellars, etc. Once upon a time there was also a hospital and even a casino for officers.
The inside of the fortress is such that it could fit 13 football fields.
Magic Well and Ground Pavilion
Another of the most visited attractions on the territory of the fortress is the Well House (Brunnenhaus) with a deep well that is still active to this day. Its dimensions are 152.5 m deep and 3.5 m wide. Thanks to this, it gained fame as the deepest well in Europe. For at least 400 years, the well served as the only source of water supply for the fortress. You can see it in the photo.
It is known that he Russian Tsar Peter I, who once visited Saxony, personally assessed the depth of the well using a rope.
A baroque pavilion was erected next to the well. Laconic and at the same time luxurious, in ancient times it served as a kind of hotel for visitors.
Legends and secrets of the fortress
Königstein keeps many secrets and legends that force tourists to make a pilgrimage to the citadel not only to admire it. For example, one of them says that the water in a wonderful well has healing properties.
Another popular legend tells of a bottomless wine barrel from which Peter I himself drank. In fact, we are talking about a huge barrel capable of holding 250 thousand liters of intoxicating drink. You can see her in one of the tunnels of the citadel.
In addition, you will definitely be told a legend about a treasure of gold coins, about grass that grows only on the territory of the fortress and has magical power– you can use it to make a love potion, as well as a tower of hunger, a room for lazy people, a bear’s hole, etc.
Well, what is a castle without ghosts? Here they also believe that ghosts live in the casemates.
And also, according to legend, there is a secret bunker on the territory of the fortress, but no one knows where it is located (however, that’s why it’s secret).
Where is the fortress located and how to get to it
The fortress is located near the capital of Saxony - the city of Dresden. You can get to the citadel by all types of land and water transport:
- bus: Pirna – Königstein (stop Abzweig Festung or Thürmsdorf/Vogelstein). Approximate cost – 5 euros;
- railway: train Dresden - Königstein - Schöna or single-track, the cars of which depart from the town of Bad Schandau;
- car: by rented car on the route Dresden - Pirna in the direction of Bad Schandau;
- paddle steamer Dresden - Königstein - Bad Schandau.
No matter what type of transport you use, the path will be busy vivid impressions that will forever remain in memory.
All the most important things about visiting the fortress
A visit to the fortress will be comfortable for all visitors, including those with disabilities (there are elevators).
Opening hours of the attraction: the territory is open to the public from March 24 to October inclusive from 9.00 to 18.00; from November to March 23 – from 9.00 to 17.00.
Please note that the last visitors are allowed in no later than an hour before the fortress closes. The only day off is December 24th.
Information about the cost, work schedule, and rules for visiting the fortress is regularly updated on the official website.
Finally
Saxon Switzerland and the Königstein Fortress are a truly unique territory, where attractions await you literally at every step. These places are often called the “stone sea”: bizarrely shaped rocks stretch here for tens of kilometers, as if carved by a skillful giant stone-cutter from sandstone and basalt, the calm Elbe River, and the landscape of amazing beauty.
Germany, Königstein Fortress, Saxon Switzerland! An unforgettable view! Prague Vlog 085
There is a beautiful national park called Saxon Switzerland, which I will talk about in this post and, of course, show photographs from there.
Saxon Switzerland is a national park with beautiful views, the main part of which lies in the river valley Elbe on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany in the southeast of Dresden. Saxon Switzerland is a mountainous area with approximately 1000 hills. This region of Germany is very popular among residents for hiking, cycling, and mountaineering.
This mountainous area is called the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. It is a sandstone mountain range on the upper reaches of the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. The maximum height of the mountains is only 723 m. This is an array of rocks that have acquired bizarre shapes and mountains covered with forests.
I set off for a walk around Saxon Switzerland from the Königstein (Sächs Schw) railway station, which I reached by train from Dresden. The first point of the route is the main attraction of these places - Königstein fortress.
Thanks to signs and paths, I reached the fortress in 40 minutes.
Also from the railway station or from the parking lot on the first level you can get to the fortress by tourist train, the fare is approximately 5 Euros per person.
One of the entrances to the Fortress (fortress gate). In the fortress you can see about 50 buildings in which a military-historical museum exhibition operates: barracks, warehouses, a guardhouse, a stable, a Catholic chapel, etc.
The fortress can be reached by a panoramic elevator.
You can walk around the fortress and explore the surrounding area. The territory of the fortress is huge, and be prepared to spend a couple of hours here.
Basic facts about the Königstein fortress:
- The first mention of the fortress was in 1233.
- Visited Königstein Fortress Russian Emperor Peter I.
- The area of the fortress is 9.5 hectares. It is located at an altitude of 240 meters.
- This is one of the largest fortifications in Europe.
- At the beginning of the 18th century, the alchemist Böttger, imprisoned in the Königstein fortress under the supervision of E. W. von Tschirnhaus, was the first in Europe to obtain porcelain, which served as the beginning of the production of the famous Meissen porcelain.
- During the First World War, captured Russian officers and generals were kept in the fortress, and during the Second World War - Polish prisoners of war.
- Also during World War II, paintings from the Dresden Gallery were hidden in the castle.
- Since 1955, the fortress has operated as an open-air museum.
The territory of the fortress has been completely restored, there are flowers and benches everywhere.
From above we can see the ferry piers and railway station. By the way, transport in Saxony has always been well developed. And in Königstein one of the world’s first trolleybus lines appeared, which, however, did not operate for long: from 1901 to 1904.
The border between Germany and the Czech Republic is very close here, and from the Czech side the National Park is called “Czech Switzerland”. Finally, we admire the views of the surrounding area and head off to other attractions.
Bastei is a famous bastion at an altitude of 305 m above sea level with an observation deck. In addition to stunning views, Bastei is famous for one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, built in 1851.
Photo from Wikipedia.org
The next point of the walk is the resort town of Stadt Wehlen. The town has central square and a church, pubs with terraces, cozy hotels on both banks of the river and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
Along the Elbe in Saxon Switzerland there are many bike paths that connect almost all the towns in the region. On weekends, Germans go here to ride bicycles and roller skates.
In spring, this region blooms and is filled with the aromas of magnolias, apple trees, cherries, and blooming trees They perfectly decorate the already beautiful restored houses of the locals. It is in the spring that I advise you to visit Saxon Switzerland, because... It is very hot here in the summer, and quite dull and windy here in the autumn and winter.
I have already said that you can get to the Königstein fortress by boat. Along the way you will come across small palaces and castles. In total, there are 2000 castles in Saxony, which is approximately the same as in the Czech Republic. In the photo you see the Pillnitz Palace (Schloss & Park Pillnitz), consisting of three buildings: the Water Palace, the Mountain Palace and the New Palace. Pillnitz was the country residence of the Saxon monarchs, and the palace has now been restored and is listed world heritage. On the territory of the palace there is a Botanical Garden with a lot of flowers, there is a greenhouse and a pond with a large fountain.
In addition to the places described in the article, I will list other attractions of Saxon Switzerland:
- Kuhstall is a rocky gate at an altitude of 337 m. Right there between the rocks there is a “stairway to heaven.”
- Kirnichtalbahn is an international commuter tram.
- Rathen Rock Theater
- Stolpen Fortress
- Lichtenhain Falls
- Town of Pirna
Practical information and how to get to Saxon Switzerland
- Automobile: It is most convenient to get to Saxon Switzerland by car; without a car it is impossible to see most of the sights of this region. By car you will see the most in a day. The main thing is to be able to drive and park according to the rules. I advise you to rent a car on the Rentalcars website. Not far from the fortress there is a parking lot Königstein am Malerweg, where you can leave your car. Parking is paid, a train runs from the parking lot to the castle, and it is also paid.
- Train: From Dresden every day, about once every 30 minutes, the S1 train travels to Czech Switzerland, which travels from the city of Meissen to Bad Schandau. Travel time from Dresden to Königstein Fortress is 37 minutes. If you are traveling alone, I advise you to buy a 1-day regional pass for 13.50 €. If you are traveling together or there are more of you, then buy a pass for the required number of people, it will be cheaper. With this pass you can travel as much as you like on trains throughout the region throughout the day, as well as on public transport in Dresden. But by train you can visit only 3 places in the whole day, because, besides the train, you will need to walk a lot.
- On a boat: From spring to autumn, you can get from Dresden to Königstein by pleasure boat. Travel time is approximately 4 hours there and 3 hours back. The fare is 20 Euro one way or 25 Euro round trip. This trip is long and tiring, but from the water you will see all the beauty of the region.
- Excursion: Alternatively, you can book an excursion to Saxon Switzerland from Prague or Dresden. From Prague you can go on a group excursion for about 35 Euros, if you are interested, and we will give you the contacts of a company that organizes group and individual excursions from Prague to Saxon Switzerland and Dresden.
I recommend the following good romantic hotels in these places: Parkhotel Bad Schandau, Panoramahotel Lilienstein in the town of Königstein an der Elbe,
Saxon Switzerland is a charming corner of Germany near Dresden that attracts millions of visitors every year. The bizarre landscape created by nature, impregnable fortresses and castles, luxurious parks and palaces, magnificently decorated baroque cities attract travelers from all over the world.
| Saxon Switzerland |
How did “Saxon Switzerland” appear?
Saxon Switzerland, and Germany's continuing overseas "Bohemian Switzerland", make up the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, formed almost 100 million years ago. It was then that there was a huge sea, stretching between the Lusatian region and the Ore Mountains, and the rivers flowing into it carried sand from the mountains, which settled to the bottom for many millions of years and formed a giant slab of sandstone. After the sea retreated and disappeared, a plate appeared on the surface, and wind, rain, movements earth's crust, did their job: a liability appeared from bizarre rocks, different shapes, heights. A real mystical landscape, which romantics began to glorify in the relatively recent past.
This place became Saxon Switzerland in 1766, when two students of the Dresden Art Academy sent postcards home to their native Switzerland from the town of Keginstein with the words “From Saxon Switzerland to Switzerland.” Their names were Anton Grfa and Adrian Zingg. This is how it began to be passed on from mouth to mouth a nickname that in 200 years will become official name tourist region.
When to visit?
In general, there are no strict restrictions for visiting Saxon Switzerland. All seasons are good. Focus only on the daylight hours (the sun sets early, and, by the way, the sunset on Bastei is exceptionally good), and the weather. And so, in summer and spring everything is in bloom, in autumn it is beautiful during the period of multi-colored golden and crimson leaves, in December Christmas markets and various performances await you everywhere.
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| Bastei |
The only advice. Try to avoid Sundays and holidays. Then all the surrounding towns strive for nature; Bastei is a real anthill.
How to get there?
Saxon Switzerland covers the territory along the banks of the Elbe from Pirna to the Czech border. There are many nice small towns, castles, palaces with parks, and, of course, the main thing here is the nature reserve, the Saxon Switzerland National Park.
You can get here in different ways:
1)
From Dresden or any other city by car
2)
From Dresden By railway by train ( S - Bahn ) to Bad Schandau, with stops at the main points (Königstein, Rathen (on Bastei) and Pirna, trains run every half hour and cost 10.50 euros. The Dresden-Bad Schandau section travels in 45 minutes.
3)
On boat from Dresden: long, but beautiful. In principle, a trip by ship takes almost the entire day and there will be no time to explore several points, at most one while waiting for the return ship. All information.
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| City and fortress of Königstein |
What can you really visit in one day?
When visiting Saxon Switzerland you will not miss Pirny, which is called the “gateway to Saxon Switzerland”. A nice baroque city, a guide to which will soon be attached to the article and to the website. If you are only interested in a walk plus visiting the church, then allow yourself 2 hours. During this time, you can leisurely stroll around the city, climb the Sonnenstein Fortress (there is no museum, only a panoramic platform), go to the Church of the Virgin Mary and drink coffee. And then we move on.
From Pirna it is about 15 km to Bastei - the heart of the national reserve and one of the most picturesque places in Saxon Switzerland. You need to stay here for at least 3 hours: walk around Bastei (a guide is included), if you have time, go to the waterfall, have lunch with a view of the Elbe.
From here you can travel to Bad Schandau.On the way, stop briefly at Hohnstein.A small town hidden on the mountain. Charming houses and a massive imposing fortress (now a hostel, but it's fun to wander around the courtyard and see what's available, plus open beautiful views to the area).
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| Hohnstein |
So, Bad Schandau, as they say here, is the heart of Saxon Switzerland. Indeed it is. There is a resort with healing waters (in clinics) and thermal baths to relax after climbing the mountains, and a park for walks, and a boat along the Elbe towards the Czech Republic through the national park, and from here various routes around Saxon Switzerland start (if you have two days, then it would be good to devote a whole day to the region around Bad Schandau, but if not, then it is enough to explore the center, the Kurpark and explore the thermal baths).
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| Mystical mountain landscapes |
Two days in Saxon Switzerland
If you have two days, then on the first day, visit Pirna, explore the city and fortress Konigstein, take a walk around Bastei. And on the second day, head to the Bad Schandau region: from Shmilki(on the very border with the Czech Republic) there are hiking trails to very picturesque places in the national park: for the hardy ones, a walk to Pravchitsa Gate or Edmund's Gorge (in the Czech Republic).
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| Bad Schandau |
If it’s not so far away, then it’s fashionable to take an old tram for a walk along the valley of the Kirnitsch River or explore the areas adjacent to Bad Schandau: Ostrau (which can be reached by elevator) and Postelwitz.
Saxon Switzerland (Dresden, Germany) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.
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This national park can be confidently called one of the most beautiful in Germany. Its predecessor appeared in the mid-20th century, and after the fall of the Berlin Wall the park acquired its own modern form. The peculiarities of Saxon Switzerland are, firstly, an absolutely fantastic mountain-forest landscape, and secondly, the presence of a number of outstanding natural and historical attractions on the territory.
Many people travel to Saxon Switzerland solely to look at the Bastei Bridge or the Königstein Fortress. But honestly, it’s worth staying here for at least a week, or even two. Climbing or horseback riding, cycling or sailing along the Elbe on pleasure boats or rowing boats, wandering through the mountains, breathing 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 the mountain gorge and the most monumental rock, which rises almost 200 m above the Elbe River. This rugged, jagged rock offers incredible photography opportunities, not to mention breathtaking views. These places were discovered quite a long time ago, and their beauty 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 travelers around Europe literally flocked here in droves.
The appeal of Bastai today is not limited to the views alone. Here is the famous bridge of the same name, built between steep rocky cliffs and so organically integrated into them that in the days of film cameras, film was used to put film onto it using reels. Another attractive place in Bastai is the Malerweg, the “Artists' Trail”. It is easy to guess that this path winds along the edge of the cliff and reveals such landscapes that painters from many countries spent whole days here.
Kushtal
The name “Kushtal” is translated very prosaically (“cow barn”) and does not in any way reflect the beauty that a tourist who has passed through Kushtal can see. This is the second largest rock gate in the Elbe Mountains: its height exceeds 10 m, width - more than 16, depth - almost 25. This interesting natural attraction attracted travelers so much that a restaurant was opened right next to Kustal 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
The most famous waterfall in Saxon Switzerland, Lichtenhain, did not naturally look as dramatic as it does today. But tourists had to be lured with something, and in 1830 the bed of a small stream was blocked with a dam. Now, in order to travel further along the stream, it was necessary to pay a toll to a local resident, who opened the dam and very quickly realized to keep a small restaurant next to it. Later, self-appointed guides and porters came 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 see the “birth of the waterfall” every half hour when it is unlocked.
The Malerweg, the Artist's Trail, ends at the Lichtenhain Falls.
Königstein Fortress
The majestic citadel is located on the mountain of the same name and near the city of the same name. The fortress, presumably built 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 it 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 cultural and historical monument and simply a wonderfully picturesque place. Stunning views open from the fortress wall, St. George is harsh and inaccessible against the sky, ancient artillery pieces still stand on the ramparts, and the Königstein well (more than 150 m) is still the deepest in Saxony and the second in Europe. Naturally, there are also enough tourists in the fortress, so they are open here. historical Museum and a restaurant.
Stolpen Fortress
This fortress is located closer to Dresden and lower above sea level, but it also has its own famous well. The peculiarity of the Stolpen one is that it is punched in basalt, a much harder rock. It took 22 years to dig the well (the Königstein well was dug 10 times faster), for which it was heated by building a fire, and then water was poured on top, destroying the rock in such a logical, but not quick 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 Stolpen well is more than 80 m deep - the deepest in the world, made in basalt rock.
Rathen Rock Theater
The resort town of Rathen decided to acquire its own summer theater in 1936. This was done, and plays of simple content with an adventure plot began to be staged in Rathen. This tradition took root so well that even 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 and light operas are staged here. fairy tales etc.
Practical information
The national park begins approximately 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 from. Particularly popular is the historical narrow-gauge train Kirnichtal, which still carries travelers to the top ten “best” places in the park.
During a one-day trip from Prague to Saxon Switzerland, we visited the largest medieval fortress in Germany - Königstein and the Bastei natural-historical complex. Actually, it was the desire to see the majestic rocks and the Bastei Bridge with our own eyes that prompted us to go to these places. Bastei is located in Saxony, very close to Dresden and 2-3 hours drive from Prague. Along with the Königstein fortress, this is the most visited place by tourists in the federal state of Saxony.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Don’t be fooled by the name “Saxon Switzerland”; these lands are not related to real Switzerland, but are called that because of their incredible beauty. We drove to Bastei through amazingly picturesque places - the banks of the Elbe decorated with greenery, fields, hills, small Saxon towns with half-timbered houses. Of course, the difference with the richer Bavaria is immediately obvious, but the places are no less beautiful, albeit in their own way.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
When you approach Bastei, in fact, nothing foreshadows what you are about to see. From the parking lot where all transport stops, you need to walk 5-10 minutes to the rocks themselves, including past restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and shops. Having passed all these obligatory attributes of a tourist site, you come to the first observation deck, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the Elbe, the small town of Reiten below, and from where the path to the inspection begins. We were given 3 hours for everything. From here our guide let us go on a “free swim”, explaining what time to get ready, what and where it is: “you’ll go to the right..., you’ll go to the left...”.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
In general, a tourist really has two paths from the beginning of the tour: right and left. If you face the descent, you should first go left. If you immediately go right to the bridge, then later, when you have already gained impressions on the bridge, going “left” will be uninteresting, so enjoy it step by step. There you will walk along a mountain path, climb narrow steps and go out to an observation deck from where a dizzying view will open up. It is here that you will be able for the first time to appreciate from a distance the beauty of the famous Bastei bridge (everything beautiful looks better from a distance), all the enormity of the work done by nature, which created amazing columns or “fingers” of stone.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
After taking amazing photos and admiring the truly breathtaking views, we went in the other direction. On the right is the very bridge that we already managed to look at from afar, and for which, in general, many tourists come here.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
But before going out onto the bridge, it’s worth walking along the “artists’ path” - this is a descent down to the Elbe; During this descent it is worth taking breaks at specially equipped observation platforms. There are three of them on the “artists’ trail,” as our guide told us, if you are not confident in your abilities, it will be enough to stop at the first two and not go down to the third, since the climb will be very difficult. But we are not looking for easy ways, so we went down to the very foot of the rocks. “The Artists’ Trail” got its name due to the fact that these places were chosen by artists and painters who sought to capture this beauty in their paintings. But not only artists were admired by the beauty of Bastai. The famous Russian composer Alexander Scriabin was also here, who wrote the prelude “Bastai” under the impression of what he saw. I honestly admit that it’s really hard to climb up, but we didn’t show it, since “both old and young” walked side by side - despite the difficulties, both the elderly and children overcame the path.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
And only after that we moved on to “dessert” - we went out onto the Bastei Bridge. The bridge itself is a tourist attraction - it is, without exaggeration, the hallmark of Saxony. Built of stone, more than 75 meters long, rising 165 meters from the abyss and standing on huge arches, it blends harmoniously into the surrounding fantastic landscape. There really are a lot of tourists here. I saw such a crowd only at another tourist attraction in Germany - Neuschweinstein Castle (although, of course, the latter is visited by many more tourists and is more famous).
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
In general, tourists began to come to Bastei at the beginning of the 19th century to admire the unusual rocks that, over millions of years, were carved out of sandstone by the wind and the Elbe. A wooden bridge for tourists was built right over the abyss of the Mardertell Gorge in 1951, later it was replaced by the current stone bridge, which is safer and can withstand thousands of tourists. The views from the bridge are stunning.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
I read somewhere before the trip that this is a bridge that leads nowhere. This is not entirely true. The fact is that there used to be a fortress on a separate rock formation (historians call it Neuraten). Actually, the name “Bastai” is translated as “fortress”, “bastion”. You can enter the territory where the fortress was located by paying an additional 2 euros. We had plenty of time, so we couldn’t miss this opportunity. For the first time, fortifications were erected here during the Roman Empire, but the Neuraten fortress dates back to the early Middle Ages. And the first documentary evidence dates back only to the middle of the 16th century. Due to its location, the fortress was impregnable and also very convenient for firing stone cannonballs at the enemy from huge catapults. Today you can see these same cannonballs here, as well as reconstructed catapults. There is also a plan - an image of the fortress as it supposedly looked.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Almost nothing remains of the fortress itself, only part of the foundation. But archaeologists and historians are working on the reconstruction of its individual parts - fences, fortifications, outbuildings.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
A walk through the territory of the former fortress is reminiscent of walking through a mountain labyrinth - the metal staircase constantly winds right, then left, up and down, revealing amazing views that can sometimes make your head spin. Here and there there are metal bridges between the rocks, and if you look down, you realize that you are standing over an abyss. I was especially impressed by the tree that managed to grow between the rocks. As they say, if you want to live, adapt as best you can. From here you can see another interesting object - on a separate stone “pillar” there is a figurine of either an angel or a saint. We found it during some minor repairs and cleaning carried out by climbers.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
In general, after these places I want to tell everyone who thinks that they have seen a lot - be sure to come here, you won’t leave without impressions. This is truly an amazing place. Bastei is surrounded by coniferous forests, and German pensioners love to come here, since the vacation here, on the one hand, is active, on the other, feasible. A lot of groups with people passed before our eyes retirement age, many elderly couples, many with special Nordic walking poles.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
On the way back we stopped at a local restaurant. There are several of them here - some are more expensive, some are cheaper. There are also souvenir shops nearby. Saxony is famous traditional toys and wooden souvenirs, and there is plenty to choose from. A little further, near the bus stop, there is also a little spot with a cafe that sells traditional German fried sausages and a souvenir shop. Here you can buy almost the same souvenirs, but cheaper.
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland
Bastei. Saxon Switzerland