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• Bastei. Basteigebiet.
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Reaching a height of 305 metres above sea level, the jagged rocks of the Bastei (map) were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.
They are situated near Rathen (map), not far from Pirna (map) southeast of the city of Dresden, and are the major landmark of the *Saxon Switzerland National Park. They are also part of a climbing and hiking area that extends over the borders into the Bohemian Switzerland (Czech Republic).
The Bastei has been a tourist attraction for over 200 years. In 1824, a wooden bridge was constructed to link several rocks for the visitors. This bridge was replaced in 1851 by the present Bastei Bridge made of sandstone.
⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Saxon Switzerland National Park
The spa town of Rathen is the main base for visiting the Bastei; the town can be reached from Dresden by paddle steamer on the river Elbe. The name Bastei (“bastion”) indicates the inclusion of the steep, towering rocks in the old defensive ring around Neurathen Castle (map).
The walk from Rathen is steep, there are about 150 Metres in altitude difference, but well worth it. Paths are signposted and well-maintained and the steeper sections have steps.
Another famous landmark in the local area is the fortress of Königstein (map).
As the region of Saxon Switzerland was explored and developed for tourism, the Bastei rocks became one of its first tourist attractions. Its lookout point was first referred to in travel literature in 1798 in a publication by Christian August Gottlob Eberhard.
One of the first walking guides who took visitors to the Bastei was Carl Heinrich Nicolai, who wrote in 1801: “What depth of feeling it pours into the soul! You can stand here for a long time without being finished with it (…) it is so difficult to tear yourself away from this spot.”
• Public transport.
Information about all types of public transport.
By suburban train (S-Bahn line S1) from Dresden (33 minutes from main station) or Bad Schandau (9 minutes). The train station is on the opposite side of the Elbe River which you have to cross by ferry (Gierfähre). Don’t worry, it has very long operating hours, however the ferry does not accept normal VVO transport tickets.
In total, the train ride from Prague takes 2½ hours, from Berlin just under three hours (change in Bad Schandau).
BUS: MeinFernbus | Stations & Destinations — Germany’s largest long-distance bus company. + Flixbus • Berlin Linien Bus • Postbus • MeinFernbus • DeinBus. Information on almost all bus routes in Germany – BUSRADAR.com. (*Intercity buses in Germany)
TRAIN: Deutsche Bahn | German Rail Pass • VGN • SNCB International • ÖBB • Thalys • RailEurope. (*Rail travel in Germany)
AIRPORT: Berlin Airport • Cologne Bonn Airport • Frankfurt Airport • Stuttgart Airport • Hamburg Airport • Munich Airport • Düsseldorf Airport
FERRY: Color Line • TT-Line / Sylt Island Ferry: FRS Syltfähre • Adler-Schiffe. Lake Constance Ferries: The largest lake in Germany, Lake Constance offers several ferry routes connecting Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Sonnenaufgang an der Bastei | Sächsische Schweiz – Elbsandsteingebirge.
Den Malern der Romantik, u.a. Caspar David Friedrich, ist es zu verdanken, dass die Sächsische Schweiz und mit ihr die Bastei weltberühmt wurde. Die Basteibrücke ist ein Meisterwerk der Baukunst! Majestätisch spannen sich die sieben Bögen der 76,5 Meter langen Basteibrücke von Fels zu Fels über die „Mardertelle“. Natürlich ist die Bastei DAS Highlight der Region. Nun endlich auch wieder mit der neu eröffneten Aussichtsplattform!
⇒ video source: Sächsische Schweiz | Elbsandsteingebirge / youtube.com /
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• Useful websites.
Links to additional resources with useful information for planning your trip.
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