By Jorge Jefferds May 4, 2019
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains, also named as the Elbe
sandstone highlands is a mountain range straddling the border between the state
of Saxony in southeastern Germany and the North Bohemian region of the Czech
Republic, with about three-quarters of the area lying on the German side. The
mountains are also referred to as Saxon Switzerland and Bohemian Switzerland in
both German and Czech or simply combined as Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland. In both
countries, the mountain range has been declared a national park. The name
derives from the sandstone which was carved by erosion. The river Elbe breaks
through the mountain range in a steep and narrow valley.
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| The Bastei Bridge |
The most striking characteristic of this deeply
dissected rocky mountain range is the extraordinary variety of terrain within
the smallest area. Unique among the Central European Uplands are the constant
changes between plains, ravines, table mountains and rocky regions with
undeveloped areas of forest. This diversity is ecologically significant. The
variety of different locations, each with its own conditions in terms of soil
and microclimate, has produced an enormous richness of species. The numbers of
ferns and mosses alone is unmatched by any other of the German central uplands.
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| Brana |
Large parts of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains are under
statutory protection. In Germany there is the national park region of Saxon
Switzerland, which consists of two elements: the Saxon Switzerland National
Park itself founded in 1990 and covered an area of 93 km²; and the protected
area surrounding it that was founded in 1956 and covers 287 km². The German
part of the range was also designated in May 2006 as one of the 77 most
important national geotopes in Germany by the Academy of Geosciences in
Hanover.
In the Bohemian part of the range there has been a
nature reserve in the northeastern region since 1972 called the Elbe Sandstone
Protected Area with an area of 324 km². In 2000, the Bohemian Switzerland
National Park was established with an area of 79 km², bringing around 700 km²
of the range under protection as a natural and cultural landscape.
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| Königstein Fortress |
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains have been a popular
destination among tourists for more than 200 years, and climbers for more than
100 years. In addition, it attains the popularity as recreation area for the
nearby Saxon capital Dresden. Places of interest include the Bastei cliffs near
Rathen, the Königstein Fortress, Pravčická brána, the Schrammsteine,
Pfaffenstein, and the valleys of the Kirnitzsch and Kamenice rivers. There are
some 14,000 climbing routes via which mountain climbers can conquer 1100
free-standing peaks. Visitors can experience the natural scenes on the asphalt
Elbe cycle path, or on board a steam paddleboat that is part of the oldest
fleet of its kind in the world.
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| The Elbe Bicycle Path |
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains have numerous facilities
for cure and rehabilitation. The region has a tradition of many years. The
discovery of ferrous and sulphurous sources in Bad Schandau in 1730 led to its
development as a health resort and the building of swimming baths.
Condor Airlines offers excellent rates to these
amazing destinations around Dresden in Germany. For reservations, schedules,
and even deals, visit https://www.condor.com/us.
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