Have you ever visited Saxon Switzerland? Its landmark is the Bastei – rightly the most visited place!
The Bastei is a rock formation with the most spectacular views and with almost 1.5 million visitors a year, it is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Germany’s national parks. The rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over millions of years and rise up to 305 metres above sea level. The 76.5m long Bastei Bridge (Basteibrücke), which gives access to the ruins of the Neurathen rock castle, is situated between the rocks. The bridge was built in 1826 and at that time consisted of timber. It originally served as a trap for attackers of the fortress, as in cases of serious threat it was destroyed and the attackers fell into the ravines along with it. It was not until 1851 that it was replaced by the present stone bridge made of sandstone. This breathtaking site offers a unique panorama overlooking numerous sights, including the Königstein Fortress built on the hill of the same name.
Saxony lies in the eastern part of central Germany. It borders the Czech Republic to the south and Poland to the east. Its neighbours are Brandenburg to the north, Saxony-Anhalt to the north-west, Thuringia to the west and Bavaria to the south-west.
The Fichtelberg, the highest mountain in Saxony, together with the nearby Czech Klinovec, forms the most important winter resort in the Erzgebirge (Erzgebirge).
