Destination Saxon Switzerland

Destination Saxon Switzerland

Key Facts

• Saxon Switzerland extends over an area of around 363 km² along the German part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
• The formation period dates back to the Cretaceous period
• The landscape is characterized mainly by two mountain forms - rock formations like those at Lilienstein and hill-like mounds of volcanic basalt like at Großer Winterberg
• The region is marked by numerous castle and palace complexes, including Königstein Fortress and Hohenstein Castle
• The impressive natural backdrop of Saxon Switzerland has inspired many artists for their works - including Caspar David Friedrich and Carl Gustav Carus
• There is a well-marked hiking trail network of 1,200 km that guides you through mysterious valleys, dense forests, and breathtaking rock formations
• The highest elevation in the region is Großer Zschirnstein (561 m)

Attractions and Popular Travel Destinations

• Hike in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, the only rock national park in Germany, and be amazed by the narrow gorges, idyllic forests, unique rock formations, and the Elbe
• Visit the Toskana Therme Bad Schandau and relax in a fantastic bathing and sauna landscape, in the Liquid Sound Temple with a unique sonic experience and wellness park
• Visit the Elbe Adventure Land in Königstein and experience family fun, for example, with mini go-karts, a climbing mountain, an adventure maze, or the adventure playground featuring a great fairy tale castle
• Discover one of Saxon Switzerland's most popular attractions - the Bastei rock formation - and enjoy a unique panorama from the Bastei rock featuring landmarks like the Lilienstein and Königstein
• Explore the historical center of Pirna and make a detour to the DDR Museum, which transports you into a turbulent piece of German-German history
• Reach new heights at the Kletterwald Königstein, located right next to the impressive Königstein Fortress: On 8 courses with 80 exciting climbing elements, you have the chance to prove your skill and courage at dizzying heights
• Take a boat trip on the picturesque Amselsee in Rathen - the 500 m long lake offers a unique view of the Niederrathen rock formations
• Change perspective: Experience the beautiful nature of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains on a historic steamship ride by the Saxon Steamship Company
• Quick, quicker, two wheels: Enjoy the Elbe panorama on a cycling tour along the diverse Elbe Cycling Path, which leads you along the Elbe and its banks as well as past sandstone cliffs and vineyards, cities like Dresden and Pirna, or sights like the Bastei Bridge
• Large, larger railway worlds - visit the world's largest garden railway layout, which boasts 7,500 m², and dive into the railway world of Upper Elbe - you can marvel at the Moritzburg Palace or the city of Pirna, along with more than 30 model trains running around the terrain. More information is available here: www.eisenbahnwelten-rathen.de
• The curtain rises for Europe's most beautiful natural stage - the Felsenbühne Rathen! Experience heroes from ancient legends and history in a spectacular open-air setting

Top Attractions in Saxon Switzerland

• If you are on your way to the famous Bastei, you should definitely take a detour to the nearby Amselsee, which invites romantic gondola rides and rowboat tours. From the water, you can enjoy the Niederrathen rock world from a whole new perspective
• Full speed ahead: Visit the Railway Worlds in Rathen, which depict impressive snippets of the railway world of Upper Elbe in miniature format on an impressive 7,500 m²
• Music on! Enjoy compositions by local artists on the sound terrace in 8-channel sound. Surrounding the Rathen sound terrace are speakers that reproduce the components of music pieces on 8 different channels - only in the middle of the terrace do they blend into the right mix and thus create a true orchestral atmosphere
• Visit Europe's most beautiful natural theater - the Felsenbühne Rathen. The Felsenbühne captivates with its unique natural backdrop formed by the towering rock walls of the Rathen Wehlgrund. Enjoy a special experience outdoors with works by authors like Shakespeare or Carl Orff
• Immerse yourself in nature at the Rhododendron Park: Marvel at rare broadleaf trees, ferns, and magnolias on the plateau of the Kleine Bastei, along with exotic conifers, flowering shrubs, and nearly 30 different species of rhododendron - a visit is especially impressive during the blooming season of the rhododendrons in June and July

• an attractive landscape that invites active relaxation in nature - hiking, cycling, swimming, or paddling are just some options to enjoy a restorative break from everyday life
• an idyllic downtown that still has a typical medieval imprint and invites you to cozy city strolls with its numerous cafes, restaurants, shops, and listed buildings
• the Kirnitzschtalbahn, which has been wending its way along the rock world of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains for more than 100 years. At each stop of the historic electric tram, hiking paths lead to beautiful viewpoints such as the Winter Mountains or the Monkey Stones
• the spa park, built in 1873 and redesigned in 1994, where you can find the perfect place to unwind in harmony with nature. The spa park includes a concert space where many open-air events and concerts take place in the summer, ancient trees from the founder period, and a revitalizing Kneipp wading pool
• the historic passenger elevator, a freestanding 50 m high steel tower linked to a forest path by a bridge. From the lookout platform of the tower, you can enjoy a unique view over the beautiful Elbe Valley
• the National Park Center, where you can gain unique insights into the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The interactive and child-friendly exhibition excitingly addresses topics like geology, plant and animal life, and usage history
• exciting canoeing tours on the Elbe. Enjoy the picturesque landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains from the water. Particularly attractive are kayak and canoe trips upstream towards Rathen or Pirna
• numerous health and wellness facilities such as the spa park with Kneipp wading pools, a terrain-based healing walking network, a thermal bath, and several beauty farms
• the Toskana Therme, where you don't just bathe but experience a unique wellness experience of sound, color, and light. Recharge your batteries through sauna sessions, bathing, and pampering in a thermal bath that is second to none

• Sebnitz is all about flowers - visit the German Artifical Flower Factory in Sebnitz and learn everything about the traditional craft of artificial flower production that has shaped the town
• Become a world traveler - discover the African House or the Caucasian Room in Sebnitz and dive into the town's history at the local museum
• Explore the scenic beauty of the region by hiking and cycling on well-developed paths that invite you to explore the Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland - for example, on the 18 km panoramic hiking path that leads from Bad Schandau to Saupsdorf, offering views of the Lilienstein, Pfaffenstein, and Königstein
• Up high, higher, climbing garden! Test your courage, strength, skill, and endurance in the climbing park. With its 14 different elements, it challenges you to new adventures
• Discover the Flower Path, which gives you insight into the close connection between Sebnitz and artificial flower production - along the urban artificial flower trail, some of the most important production sites and flower businesses combine for a delightful journey into Sebnitz's past
• Relax in luxury at the Herb Vital Bath in Sebnitz - recharge your batteries with massages, baths, sauna sessions, and many other wellness arrangements

• Let Pirna's scenery enchant you - just as the painter Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto, captured his admiration for Pirna's charm in his paintings, for which the town is now world-famous. Canaletto primarily painted large Italian cities in the 18th century - along with the small town of Pirna. The painting showcasing a Pirna citizen's house, depicted by Canaletto in profile, became a masterpiece of European vedute painting
• Conquer Sonnenstein Castle, which is situated high on the rock plateau of Sonnenstein and offers you a beautiful view of the winding old town - a stroll through the castle park and a visit to the older castle towers are also worthwhile
• Stroll through Gartenstraße and let yourself be enchanted by a historical ensemble of buildings. The residential houses in the Art Nouveau style date from the founder era around 1880/1900 and have been extensively renovated in recent years, allowing them to shine again in new old glory
• Along with the Canaletto House, the Engelserker, the Devil's Tower, the Mägdlein School, the stately town hall, and the post-distance column are popular attractions for visitors
• Explore Pirna through a walk in the old town - numerous valuable buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, through which many narrow alleys meander, invite you to linger and enjoy in picturesque surroundings filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops
• Enjoy pure culture in Pirna, for example, at the DDR Museum, the Lohengrinhaus, or the city museum.

• Lace up your hiking boots and conquer the picturesque landscape on more than 70 km of marked hiking paths. One of the many paths will surely lead you through one of the 6 beautiful valleys of the region
• Saxon Switzerland can be explored not only on foot - cycling is also a popular companion. In the Hohensteiner Land, you will need a bit of stamina, as the landscape features some significant elevation changes that will require some muscle power from you but will reward you with fantastic viewpoints
• Visit the town's landmark: Hohnstein Castle. It offers a great view of the whole town and the Polenztal and houses an exciting natural history museum and the historical museum about the history of this impressive building
• Stroll to the Hohenstein Marketplace, flanked by numerous architecturally significant buildings. On your way, you can also visit the town hall and the beautiful parish church
• Dive into the experience world of SteinReich - here, everything is about fairy tales, legends, and stories. Look forward to a unique adventure playground where you and your children can learn about the region's legends while playing.

• the famous Königstein Fortress, considered a unique testament to European fortress architecture - discover a fascinating ensemble of buildings made up of constructions from the late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods during your visit to the fortress and enjoy the view of the Elbe Valley at approximately 360 m elevation
• and time and again, the Elbe Cycling Path beckons: In Königstein, you can also enjoy trips along the Elbe Cycling Path and the beautiful landscape from the saddle
• the Fabulous and Myth Park, which attracts visitors with sculptures from mythologies around the world. The 15,000 m² park houses a demonstration workshop where you can watch sculptor Jürgen Fleck as he carves new figures for the park from sandstone
• the labyrinth in Leupoldishain: Discover with your children a pathway made from natural stones and rocks. Along the way, there are mysterious caves to explore and narrow alleys and ladders to cross, which is especially exciting for children.
• the past of Königstein: Travel back to the Königstein of the 19th and early 20th centuries while geocaching and let yourself be guided on a discovery tour to many beautiful corners of the town
• Endless hiking experiences: Hiking is very popular in Königstein as well - for example, the hike from Königstein to the Pfaffenstein featuring the well-known rock needle 'Barbarine' is highly sought-after.

Events

• 'Today is tomorrow already yesterday' - or is it? Marvel at impressive photographs of the old and new Neustadt in Saxony at the Neustadt City Museum from August 20 to November 6, 2016
• The stage is set! Take advantage of late summer as an audience member at the Felsenbühne Rathen. On August 28, 2016, you can marvel at 'Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella' and on September 4 and 10, 2016, 'Winnetou I.'
• Cheers to yoga! Celebrate life and the joy of movement for body and mind at the Yoga Festival naturIMpuls in Neustadt on October 15 and 16, 2016
• Classics meet sandstone backdrop - and for the 24th time. Attend the festival 'Sandstone and Music,' which offers you unique concert experiences at various sandstone locations, for instance, on October 23, 2016, at the Tom-Pauls-Theater Pirna with '2Hot,' showcasing a blend of Boogie, Blues, Dixieland, and Jazz from the 1920s
• It's getting spooky! Get ready for Halloweenus' long party night in the deepest vaults of Königstein Fortress and the eerily beautiful casemates - here, there will be food, drinks, and above all, dancing
• Experience a piece of tradition: Be part of the Mettenschicht from November 25 to December 23, 2016, which traditionally marks the last shift or journey underground before Christmas. Ride into the Marie Louise Stolln and participate in an exclusive guided tour including a rustic miner's feast
• The Christmas season is upon us... Enjoy the Advent season at the historically romantic Christmas market at Königstein Fortress with demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts
• End the year musically. Attend the 'Festive Concert for the New Year' at Königstein Fortress on December 31, 2016. With the concert featuring soprano and organ, you can successfully transition into 2017.

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