What is the best route to take in Czech Switzerland? Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland (from Prague). Sights of Czech Switzerland

We learned about Saxon Switzerland quite by accident; Pasha came across an article describing a trip to Saxon Switzerland with impressive photos. I decided to see what it was and where. It turned out that national park Saxon Switzerland is located near Dresden, right on the border with the Czech Republic. And on the Czech side the park is called Czech Switzerland.

The park is not very large, but it has many trekking routes and you can easily spend at least a whole week. But thinking that a week of vacation is an unaffordable luxury, we decided that we would go to Saxon Switzerland one day just for a long weekend.

How to get to Saxon Switzerland?

The easiest way is by car. In this case, moving between routes and attractions in the park will be easy and convenient. The only downside is that the routes need to be planned either there/back or circular to get back to the car.

Getting there and moving around by public transport is also possible. On the German side the closest Big City- Dresden, from Czech - Prague. From both of them you can easily reach the park. But on the spot, in order to get to the beginning of routes from surrounding towns and villages, you will have to find out the schedule of local buses and trains.

Where to stay near Saxon Switzerland?

If you are by car, then this issue is not so pressing. From any village you can easily get where you need to go.

If you are traveling by public transport, then on the Czech side a good choice would be Děčín or Hřensko. Decin is larger, but from it you have to go to the park. But several routes start directly from Grzensko, including one of the most famous to Pravčická brána.

On the German side there are several options. If you want to visit the Bastei Bridge and take a walk in its surroundings, then best choice will be Rathen or Bad Schandau. If you want to walk along other routes in the park, then you need to choose one of the villages close to the route. Almost all of them have small family hotels where you will feel like a real German.

We had to stay for two nights, on a holiday weekend, plus we were by car and not tied to buses. Having looked at the options on Booking.com and Airbnb (we wrote more about what airbnb is in the article Airbnb - what is it? How to use it and how to book accommodation in any city?), we chose accommodation on airbnb in Decin, but for now we were thinking about this apartment already passed. Therefore, the next suitable room in terms of price, comfort and location was family hotel in the village of Ceska Kamenice.

What to do in Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland?

1 full day - Czech Switzerland

The route starts in the village of Mezni Louka and gradually gains altitude and goes towards Pravcicka Brana. Along the way there is a beautiful forest, rock walls, individual rock outcrops - in general, very beautiful!

Next is Pravcicka Bran and the 19th century building - Falcon's Nest. Entrance to the observation decks 75 CZK. You can check the opening hours and current prices www.pbrana.cz. Most can be viewed for free, so it’s up to you to decide whether to go to the paid part.

After this trail, you can go to Mezni Louki through the forest, or you can, like us, continue along the canyon. There is a second route Divoká soutěska and a second crossing - it will cost 60 CZK. We really liked the trail, it goes almost above the mountain river itself, sometimes overhanging it. There are beautiful rocks around. On the first section there is a waterfall attraction - they take you to a wet wall, tell you some fairy tales, it depends on the boat manager, and then... suddenly a powerful stream of water falls from the waterfall like a fountain. Nobody expected this...

During the boat ride you will see not only a waterfall, but also beautiful wooden figures, each with its own story, you will be shown interesting rock formations that look like something or someone. The second part is less interesting, simply because it repeats the first. Although... Whether nature can repeat itself in such unusual forms is a controversial issue. From the end of the second trail, another 20 minutes and we go out to Mezni Louki, straight to the central parking lot. By the way, parking is the most expensive “entertainment” - 100 CZK / 1 day.

This route can also be taken from Grzensko. You can go in the opposite direction, but I don’t recommend this since the climb from Grzensko is long and monotonous, it’s much better to quickly descend there.

2 day or half day Saxon Switzerland and the famous Bastei Bridge

Most often, the route to the Bastei Bridge starts either at Basteistraße - in this case, parking will cost 3 €/day plus 1.5 €/person shuttle bus to the beginning of the route. The second option is the village of Rathen, almost all large parking lots are located in most of the village on the other side of the Elbe and you will have to take a ferry to get to the beginning of the route.

Only residents and hotel clients are allowed to enter the part of the Rathen village, which is located on the same bank as the Bastei Bridge. However, you can leave your car in private parking lots just before reaching the village. Cost 3€/day.

Before the start of the route, 15-20 minutes through a pleasant forest. At first, the signs took us to Basteistrasse; after looking at the prices, we returned to the idea that we would leave the car in the village itself. But... we saw a sign prohibiting passage to non-residents. There was a private parking nearby for 3€, but it was almost all occupied. There were cars parked nearby on the side of the road; there was no sign prohibiting parking. Of course we parked and headed to the Bastei Bridge.

Bastei is a group of sandstone rocks that, under the influence of time and nature, have taken on very beautiful and unusual shapes. Bastei is also famous for the Bastei Bridge. The Bastei Bridge was built in 1824 and was originally made of wood. In 1851 the Bastei Bridge was replaced by a sandstone bridge and it has remained that way to this day.

If you have at least 3-4 hours, then it’s worth visiting not only the Bastei Bridge, but also walking along the route further, going down to the Elbe and returning along the bike path to Rathen.

We were unlucky on the first evening, the weather was not very good, and as soon as we began to climb to the bridge it started to rain... Without thinking twice, we took a quick look at the bridge and went to our overnight stay. The second attempt was in the morning before going home. The sun was shining and the weather was just perfect. But we had very little time, so we limited ourselves to going to the Bastei Bridge and all the observation platforms and back. This route took us about 2-2.5 hours of a leisurely walk from the car. There is an optional paid section on the route, the cost is 2€/person. The route runs along footbridges between the rocks. There is a description of several historical details, although little remains of them. But beautiful views to the Bastei Bridge and surrounding rocks.

By the way, the most famous photos of the Bastei Bridge are taken from free viewing platforms. True, fog or beautiful sunset/dawn rays must be specially waited for. Although maybe you'll be lucky?!

As a result, I would like to say that if you are in the area and have 1-2 days free, then you should definitely stop by Czech and Saxon Switzerland!

Czech Switzerland is the northwestern region of the country in the upper reaches of the Elbe River, which borders Germany. The Elbe Sandstone Mountains are located in this area. Since 2000, this area has the status national reserve. The area of the national park is about 80 square kilometers, and its continuation is located in the territory of Saxon Switzerland.

Miraculous sights

Most high mountain The Czech capital of Switzerland is Decinski Sneznik, which rises 723 meters above sea level. This indicates that this mountain range is low. Mountain formations arose thousands of years ago, creating a landscape of amazing beauty: bizarre rocks, crevices, canyons. The most picturesque part of the national park is the Kamenice River canyon and the ancient artificial reservoir.

Particular attention is drawn to such a landmark of the park as the Pravchitsky Gate, which has become a kind of symbol of the reserve. They are a natural gate made of rock and are the largest natural creation of this type on the European continent. The span of this miraculous arch measures more than 26 meters, and its height reaches 21 meters.

The thickness of the gate’s rock is also impressive, being 3 meters at its narrowest point. The upper part of the arch is quite narrow, so access to its platform is closed.

Having passed under the arch of the Pravchitsky Gate, along paths and stairs you can climb to observation platforms, from where stunningly beautiful landscapes of the mountain landscape open up.

"Falcon's Nest" and Dolskaya Mill

Nearby, almost under the Pravchitsky Gate, there is a small castle “Falcon's Nest”, built in the 80s of the 19th century. Today, on the second floor of the building there is an exhibition of the national park museum. The first floor is occupied by a restaurant with an originally designed interior, where amazing paintings have been preserved.

The Dolskaya Mill is also a tourist attraction in the national park. These are the surviving fragments of a water mill, the date of construction of which is said to be 1515. In the middle of the last century, the mill served as a set for the filming of the popular fairy tale film “The Proud Princess” directed by Bořivoje Zemana.

Over time, the building began to fall into disrepair, but recently it was mothballed, stopping the destruction. In 2007, the Dolskaya Mill acquired the status of a cultural monument protected by the state. A few hundred meters from the mill you can see a small bridge that was built at the beginning of the last century. He represents a unique historical building, since it is the first object built from reinforced concrete on the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

To see the 180-year-old royal spruce, you need to travel about half a kilometer along the path from the mill. The diameter of the trunk of the green beauty exceeds 3 meters, and in the sky it reaches almost 27 meters.

Schaunstein rock castle

In the park, in a dense forest, there is Schaunstein Castle, built in the first half of the 14th century. It was built to protect trade routes. Over time, it lost its significance, and after the Thirty Years' War, robbers and deserters found shelter here. The castle received a different name: Lupezhnitsky. Now all that remains of it are ruins.

The upper platform of the structure, approximately 70 meters long and 20 wide, consists of several parts connected by bridges. The ruins give an idea of the impressive size and former grandeur of the castle. During the excavations, part of the main tower of the structure was found, which could serve as a prison or storage room.

There are several observation platforms in the reserve, one of them is an ancient stone observation tower, which was erected on the top of Dechinsky Snezhnik. From here, as far as the eye can see, wonderful views of Czech Switzerland open up.

Another platform in the form of a huge terrace seems to hang over the canyon where the Elbe flows. It is called Belvedere, and was built by the Kaeri Aldringen family, who owned most of the territory of Czech Switzerland. Their coat of arms, carved directly on the rock, has survived to this day.

A visit to the Czech Switzerland National Park gives you unforgettable moments of communication with the unique nature and monuments that constitute the historical and cultural value of this land.

Czech Switzerland is not only mystical landscapes pine forests and picturesque valleys, majestic rock towers, gates, walls, gorges, rock cities and labyrinths of mountains, but also the incredibly beautiful canyon of the Kamenitsa River, a walk along which will leave an unforgettable impression.

This is Czech Switzerland!

Czech Switzerland (České Švýcarsko) is the Czech part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, a fantastically delightful piece of nature located in Northern Bohemia, near the border with Germany. There is everything you need for a complete active or simple holiday: pristine dense forests, canyons, bizarre rocks, mountain rivers, picturesque valleys with rare plants.

Geographers believe that this area owes its unusual structure and beauty to the sea, whose waters covered this territory in prehistoric times. Over time, the water receded and thanks to the influence of the most skillful designers - nature and wind, such a unique natural landscape was formed over many centuries.

What to see in Czech Switzerland?

Pravcicka brane

It is so incredibly beautiful here that the state declared this place a national park of the Czech Republic in 2000. The park has many interesting places, but the most interesting attraction is the Pravčická brána, which is the largest natural gate formed from a rocky massif. Once upon a time, these gates were washed out of the rocks by the World Ocean itself. In 2009, Pravchitsky Gate made it to the semi-finals of the international competition “Seven Wonders of the World”.

Not without a castle. It's as if he was implanted into the rocks. And its name is appropriate - Falcon's Nest (Zámeček Sokolí hnízdo). It was built by Italian craftsmen in 1881 in a record time at that time - one year. Entrance to the Pravčicka brana is paid. But it's worth it. There is a small cafe right under the arch, and Observation deck, the views from which are breathtaking.

Decin

The Bohemian Switzerland National Park is located near the town of Děčín. Travel around the reserve usually begins from here.

The main attraction of the city is Decin Castle (Děčínský zámek), a military fortress and residence of influential aristocratic families.

The smallest zoo in the Czech Republic is the Zoo (Decina Zoo Děčín). It is located in the city center, in the city forest park and covers an area of only 6 hectares. His specialty is growing rare species animals that have a hard time living in captivity.

To rest and relax, go to the city water park Decin (Aquapark) or to the Olešský rybník.

Khrzhensko

The beautiful and hospitable border town of Hřensko is located on the banks of the Kamenice River. Most hiking routes around the reserve begin here. The city has everything for tourists - a tourist information center, large parking lots, hotels, guesthouses, shops.

Tolshtein

Tolštejn – romantic ruins medieval castle. It was first mentioned in 1337. At one time it was the residence of local robber barons. Today, the castle walls offer extraordinary views.

Schaunstein

The rock castle of Schaunštejn, built in the first half of the 14th century to protect trade routes, lost its significance after the Thirty Years' War and became a haven for robbers. Now these are fabulous ruins in a dense forest. You can climb them only via a steep staircase in a narrow rock tunnel. A stunning panorama will open from the top of the rocks.

Falkenstein

Falkenstein rock castle

Rock castle Falkenštejn is one of popular places in the Bohemian Switzerland park. Unlike Schaunstein, everything here remains as it was.

Souteski

The Kamenice River flows in a deep gorge. In two places, Tichá soutěska and Divoká soutěska, it is blocked by dams. Here you can take a boat ride among the high rocks, see trout under the rocks, admire the fantastic stone figures and the huge artificial waterfall.

Sucha Kamenice

Sucha Kamenice – small stream, which flows into the Laba. Its valley is beautiful in spring and autumn when there is water. There are many waterfalls rustling between majestic rocks; the riverbed seems to be paved with paving stones. When there is no water, silence reigns here.

mouse hole

Mouse Hole (Myší díra) is the name given to the narrow staircase that leads to the top of the cliff. Back in the 19th century, many tourists came to climb the Mouse Hole.

Hřipksa

Do you know where Czech crystal is made? The world-famous “Bohemian glass” is made in the village of Chřibská. It is here that glass production is located, the oldest in Europe (XV century).

Dolski Mlyn

Dolský Mlyn

Ruins of the medieval mill Dolský Mlýn – romantic place, lost in the forest. Several centuries ago the mill occupied an important position.

Ružovsky Vrh

Ruzhov Hill (Růžovský vrch) is a huge basalt volcanic cone. Hans Christian Andersen, who visited these places several times, called this mountain “Czech Fuji.” Although there are no tourist attractions on the hill, there are many observation points from which stunningly beautiful nature can be seen.

Belvedere observation deck

The Belvedere observation deck (skalní vyhlídka Belvedér) is a huge stone terrace that seems to hang over the canyon of the Laba River. It is located at an altitude of 130 meters from the river level and is located near the town of Khrzhensko.

In 1640, a forester who killed two wolves carved his story on a stone slab. For a long time, the Wolf Board (Vlci deska) was covered with a spruce tree that grew on it. But one day during a storm, a tree fell and the slab opened. Now we can find out the story of a successful hunt. The road to the board leads through the beautiful Kiyovska Valley, the canyon of the Krinitsa River.

Silver mines

In the ancient mines in the town of Jiřetín pod Jedlova, silver was previously mined. Today you can put on a real miner's helmet with a flashlight and go down into the amazing world of the dungeon.

How to get to Czech Switzerland

By car

First head towards the town of Decin and then Hrzensko. You can park your car there and continue sightseeing on foot.

By public transport

Take the train to Decin and then head towards Hrzensko by bus number 434. See the schedule with departure times and ticket prices.

On a boat

The motor ship on the Elbe River departs from Decin and Dresden. See more details. But keep in mind that you will have to walk about a kilometer to the pier, and then the same distance from the final stop to Khrzhensko.

How do I save on hotels?

It’s very simple - look not only on booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.

Czech Switzerland(České Švýcarsko) - the most beautiful corner of nature in the northwest Czech Republic. The area adjoins the German “Saxon Switzerland” and is famous for its unusually shaped limestone cliffs, gorges and dense forests located in the Elbe River basin. In 2000, an area of 79 km2 officially became a national park and came under state protection.

Ironically, it is more convenient to get to the park from Dresden, Germany, than from Prague. We take the train to Schona station, go to the ferry crossing and, please, you are in Grzensko, where several popular hiking trails begin!

You can get from Prague to Decin (the local castle is worth visiting here) by train - a little over 2 hours on the road. Next to the town of Hřensko - by bus or taxi. The second option is preferable, since you don’t have to wait, but the trip will cost about 350 CZK

You can get to the place from Decin by sailing on a boat sailing along the Labe. Ending station in the village of Shmilka on the German side of the border, then a kilometer walk to the crossing in Grzhensko

Another interesting way- again by train from Prague. Direction to Decin, there you change to the line to the German Bad Schandau and get off at the Schöna station. Next you already know...

The honor of opening the region to the public goes to Adrian Zing and Anton Graff, two Swiss artists and teachers at the Dresden Art Academy who lived in the mid-18th century. In search of "nature" they traveled along the Elbe, visiting places between Pirna and Hrzensko, and painted a lot.

Almost immediately their landscapes attracted attention and tourists flocked to these places for their unusual beauty. One of the most famous personalities who did not fail to visit here: the author of fairy tales, the Dane Hans Christian Andersen, who made two visits, in 1831 and 1851.

Kamenitsa Gorge

What to see

There are several routes that allow you to see Czech Switzerland in detail: both walking and cycling.

Czech Switzerland

Let's mention iconic places national park, without seeing which not a single tourist will leave here:

Pravčická brána is the largest natural limestone arch in Europe, 26 meters long and 16 meters high. You can’t climb it - it’s fraught, but seeing it is absolutely necessary.

In 1881, Prince Edmund Clary und Olringen, who owned local lands, built a castle next to Pravcicka Brana, called the “Falcon's Nest”. The castle was built in just one year: today the building houses a national park museum and a restaurant with beautiful views.

Falcon's Nest and Pravcicka Brana

Kamenice is a river flowing through a winding mountain gorge. The Tichá soutěska backwater, “Quiet Gorge” (Tichá soutěska), is especially beautiful - for almost a kilometer, tourists from boats can contemplate sheer walls up to hundreds of meters high, rocks that tried but never slipped into the water, relict pine groves.

Edmund's Gorge is the most colorful part of Kamenica

The village of Jetřichovice, convenient starting point to travel through the mountain range of the same name. Nearby you can visit Falkenstein Castle and Mariina Skála, an excellent viewpoint at an altitude of 428 meters.

The ruins of the Schaunštejn fortress on a lonely rock - it was destroyed either in the 15th or 16th century and has not been restored since then.

Czech Switzerland

When tourists hear this name for the first time, their minds are concerned with only one question: where does Switzerland come from in the Czech Republic? It sounds really interesting, but in reality we're talking about about an amazingly beautiful national park, which, thanks to its views and landscape, bears such an unusual name as Czech Switzerland.

Why is this place interesting to tourists?

Czech Switzerland is part of the Elbe region Sandy Mountains, which belongs to the Czech Republic. Tellingly, in Germany this area is called Saxon Switzerland. The territory of the park covers almost 80 square meters. m, and since 2000 it has officially acquired the status of a nature reserve. On the map of the country, Czech Switzerland is located in the northwestern region, at the headwaters of the Elbe River.

The reserve got its name thanks to two Swiss artists who, in their free time, traveled to these places and created works inspired by the local beauty. The masters of the brush did not even want to return home, arguing that they had found their Switzerland in the Czech Republic.

Sights of the Czech Switzerland Nature Reserve

The park has a number of interesting and fascinating places, the creator of which was nature itself. So, what to see and where to take a souvenir photo in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park:

In one of the matches of the third round of the group stage of the World Hockey Championship, the Czech Republic will compete with Switzerland. The match will take place in Copenhagen and starts on May 8 at 21-15 Moscow time.
Content:

Lifebet.ru notes that literally on the eve of the world championship, the teams held two friendly matches between themselves, in which the Czechs confidently won twice.

Czech
The Czech national team is currently outside the top four in the group, but the team has played only two more matches, and at the same time played them very well. During the opening match, the Czechs were inferior to the Slovak team, but showed fighting qualities and won the final victory in overtime 3-2. The day before, the team suffered a defeat in Sweden 2-3.
Switzerland
The Swiss team, in turn, managed to score five points in the two opening matches, settling in the top half of the group. Moreover, in the first round the team had a hard time defeating Austria. At the end of regular time there was a 2-2 draw, and only in overtime did the Swiss tip the scales in their favor. Next was a fairly convincing victory over the Slovak team 2-0.

Live online broadcast of the match Czech Republic - Switzerland

Match odds Czech Republic - Switzerland

P1 – 1.99-2.05
X – 4.25-4.35
P2 – 3.15-3.25
1X – 1.33-1.37
12 – 1,2-1,24
X2 – 1.77-1.82

Total odds:

less than 3.5 – 3.05-3.15
more than 3.5 – 1.36-1.4
less than 4.5 – 2.02-2.08
more than 4.5 – 1.83-1.88

Czech Republic - Switzerland expert forecast

This calendar year, the Czech national team has already beaten the Swiss three times, and now this trend is also likely to continue.

Salt to taste

After all, the Czechs scored only two points in the opening matches, and now the squad needs to win. In general, lifebet.ru offers a forecast for the match Czech Republic - Switzerland: Victoria of the Czech Republic with a zero handicap.
This confrontation is also unlikely to be very productive, and the number of goals in it will probably not exceed 5.5. Along with this, we bet that the Swiss will not be able to hit the opponent’s goal more than 2.5 times.

Important statistics and interesting facts

Note that in the last ten personal meetings, the Czech team won eight times, losing to the Swiss team only twice.

Excursions and transfers to Czech Switzerland are in great demand. Czech Switzerland has become one of the main destinations for eco-tourism.

Bohemian Switzerland National Park

The new concept of eco-tourism comes from the rapidly growing number of eco-tourists who adore the most beautiful places and attractions created by nature.

beauty natural landscapes Czech Switzerland fascinates not only eco-friendly people, but also ordinary tourists and travelers. The history of the emergence of a mountain range with crevices, streams and even lakes goes back more than one millennium. In ancient times, this part of the land with the Elbe Sandstone Mountains located on it was the subject of constant wars between Saxony, the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Prussia. Robbers often ruled here. Only 1459 brought clarity about the ownership of the Elbe Sandstones; from the moment the Treaty of Eger was signed, the Elbe Sandstones were divided in the middle of the navigable Elbe. Since then, one half belongs to Saxony, which is part of Germany, and the second remains the property of the Czech Republic. The Meissen Plateau was the name of that part of the Elbe Sandstones or as the Saxons of the Ore Mountains called them, but it lasted until the 18th century, later they were renamed Saxon Switzerland. Regarding the name Czech Switzerland reliable information Hardly ever. Either the Czechs, deciding to keep up with the Germans, called their part Czech Switzerland, or vice versa the Germans, but now on the map there are two Switzerlands divided by the Elbe River: Czech on the Czech side and Saxon on the German side.

Be that as it may, the beauty of these Switzerland deserves attention. The highest point in Czech Switzerland is Decin Sneznik 723m, and the main attraction of Czech Switzerland is the unique so-called Pravcicka Gate, also known as Pravčeska Brana in Czech, spelled Pravcicka Brana. The width of this gate is not small - 26 meters, and the height is breathtaking - 16 meters. The view at the Pravcicka Gate - a huge arch, probably the fact that they are the main attraction of the delightful Czech Switzerland is confirmed by the fact that the entrance to them is paid! There is also a small snack bar with the same small selection on the menu, beer and sausages, that’s the whole list of dishes. Very close by is a castle built in 1881, built into the rock. It was built in just a year and has the appropriate name for this place, Falcon's Nest in Czech (Sokolí hnízdo). Amazing nature, a sea of trails and routes, a mountain river on which there are boats with boat guides carrying tourists and telling stories about the landscapes that tourists pass by.

If you want to book excursions from Prague to Czech Switzerland, go to the page excursions around the Czech Republic from Prague.

If you want to order a transfer from Prague to Czech Switzerland, go to the page Transfer within the Czech Republic from Prague.

Prague excursion prices in Russian.

Prague Czech Switzerland excursion, excursions in the Czech Republic, Czech Switzerland, Czech Republic excursions, Czech Switzerland transfer, Prague excursions, Czech Switzerland tours, attractions of the Czech Republic, nature in the Czech Republic.

Note:
The price of the Czech Switzerland excursion from Prague includes: transfer from your hotel to the very place of the excursion, an excursion conducted by a guide, the excursion language is Russian, transfer to the hotel back.

Here, you can learn everything about Czech Switzerland from people who have visited Czech Switzerland, read or write reviews and comments about Czech Switzerland - forum.

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Advantages

Very beautiful, rivers, mountains, castle, water park

Flaws

Details

When people talk about the Czech Republic, everyone immediately thinks of Prague and Karlovy Vary. But in this country there are many other equally wonderful cities - resorts and others - albeit small, but old, rich in historical monuments and having their own unique characteristics.
I've already talked about thermal resort- Teplice, and now I want to open for you another small but cozy town in the Usti region - Decin.
Decin, like Teplice, is located in the northwestern part of the Czech Republic, in an area called Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland, very close to Germany.

The town is located in a valley between mountain ranges, and it is here that the Laba (aka Elbe) and Ploucnice rivers meet. Therefore, Decin is an important river port.
The city itself is small - a little more than 50 thousand people live here, but there is something to see here.
Interesting historical fact is that Decin (and in German - Techen-Bodenbach) as a single city was formed recently - in 1942. This happened as a result of the merger of two nearby villages - Techena and Bodenbach. Since 1947, the city became known as Decin.
The city is incredibly beautiful: all around mountain ranges, and between them are colorful houses and ponds.
Look at the positive architectural forms. When I saw them, I immediately thought that in such a bright city people simply cannot be unhappy :)

The reservoirs here are magnificent, they are crossed by old and new bridges,

And in the water itself, ducks and majestic swans swim, which numerous tourists happily feed.

The most famous landmark of the city is Decin Castle, located on a hill on the right bank of the Laba. The history of the castle dates back to the 13th century; it originally belonged to noble families, and in 1934 it was sold to the state.
A road carved between the rocks, “Long Ride,” leads to the castle; high stone walls stretch on both sides of it.

And here is the castle itself, it is under long-term reconstruction, and inside it there is a museum where paintings, weapons, etc. are exhibited.

There is a magnificent rose garden on the territory of the castle, but we did not have the opportunity to see this beauty in full, since Decin was visited in March.
By the way, photography is not allowed in the castle; I understand that this is quite traditional for the Czech Republic.
There is another one near the rose garden historical monument— Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The church was built at the end of the 17th century and has hardly been restored since then.

Bohemian Switzerland – one of the national parks of the Czech Republic

Inside it is decorated with magnificent frescoes.

In addition to the above-mentioned, there are many other historical and architectural monuments in Decin that are worth seeing: these are other churches, a synagogue, churches and chapels, town halls, fountains, the “Pastoral Wall” - a steep cliff on which the restaurant of the same name with more than a century of history is nestled.

Children will also be interested in Decin. On that very Shepherd Wall there is a small but ancient and well-kept zoo.
There is also a water park here, which we were lucky enough to visit. It consists of indoor and outdoor areas and is considered one of the most modern in the Czech Republic.

Of course, it’s worth going to Decin, even if only to see the incredibly beautiful area in which the town is nestled - mountains and rivers give it a unique charm.

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Year of visit:2010

Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland

The Czech National Park is located in the northwestern part of the Czech Republic on the border with Germany. Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland is an untouched area with wildlife and picturesque corners. In Germany this park is called Saxon Switzerland, and in the Czech Republic - Czech. This is due to the fact that the park is located on the territory of two states.

Tourists come to this park not only to enjoy nature, but also to do active species sports. You can explore the main sites in just one day, but many stay at the campsite for longer periods of time.

A visit to this national park will give unforgettable experience from communicating with wild nature and ancient monuments, which are an important part of the culture not only of the Czech Republic, but throughout Europe.

More than 10 thousand years ago, the first inhabitants of Bohemia lived here, who hunted, fished and collected various berries and herbs. The ancient inhabitants roamed the area and settled mainly near water streams, so modern archaeologists find tools, dishes and used coal.

Farmers settled the area much later. Trade caravans passed through the entire territory of the modern park, and a fortified fort was erected for defense.

In the 13th century, the kings of Bohemia invited the colonialists who settled modern Germany here to make the place more civilized. The colonialists built villas and castles here, and were engaged in industry and coal production. Dense forests and the absence of wide plains meant that many areas remained untouched. There were no places where one could permanently reside or engage in industry. Still, some objects built by man have survived. For example, the runes of ancient half-timbered houses of the 20th century.

The tourism business in Czech Switzerland began to develop very early. In the second half of the 18th century, romantic artists began to come here in search of new, previously little-known places. Later in the 19th century, tourism began to develop systematically. It was during this period that farmers from local estates and tourist communities, which were just beginning to form, began to come here. To increase the attractiveness of the area, roads were laid hiking trails, restaurants, hotels and observation towers. Even later, tourists began to actively engage in extreme species sports and sailing on the river.

Sights of the park: what to see in Czech Switzerland?

There are no modern attractions in Czech Switzerland, but there are unique natural creations and ancient castles. There are a lot of attractions on the territory, but you can create a route so that you can visit the most in one day. interesting places. It is worth noting that it will be easier to get around by car, but you can truly enjoy the nature of the Czech Republic and partly Germany while walking.

Pravcicka Gate

The symbol of the national park is the Pravchitsky Gate tower. The uniqueness of this natural site is that it is the highest rock in Europe, which has an incredible appearance. This is a natural monumental arch 16 meters high, which has a length of 26 meters.

You can get to the attraction from Grzhensk. From the parking lot you will need to walk about 4 km. You cannot climb the Pravčicka Gate, but you can view the unique natural creation from the outside. The entrance fee for adults is 75 CZK, and for children (6-14 years old) – 25 CZK.

If you walk a little further from the Pravchitsky Gate along the wide path, you can see a smaller copy 2 meters high - the Small Gate.

Important! Please note that there is also a narrow path, which is marked in red on the map; it also leads to the Small Pravchitsky Gate, but you will have to wander around the park for a long time.

Falcon's Nest

IN late XIX century, near the Pravchitsky Gate, a castle was built in the rock, which with its spring appearance resembled a hunting lodge. "Falcon's Nest" is a unique castle of the Clari family, which has been reorganized.

It is now a popular tourist destination, with a restaurant overlooking the natural castle grounds and a museum dedicated to the history and natural diversity of the area.

Lupežnice Castle or Schaunstein

Schaunstein Castle, which is also located in the rock not far from Vysokikh Lipa, was inhabited by robbers, but over time it became empty and lost its former appearance.

Now it is ruins in a dense forest and a popular route point along national park. It is recommended to climb the stairs in the rock tunnel to the observation deck, where an extraordinary view of Czech Switzerland opens. At the bottom of the main tower, a small room was excavated that served as a prison for trespassers and a warehouse.

The place is fully equipped for tourists and is easily accessible, so it’s worth adding to your itinerary for independent travel.

Dolskaya mill

It is difficult to imagine that for several centuries this was a busy place where roads crossed and trade was carried out. Later, when the territory was empty, a fairy tale about a princess was filmed here. Today the Dolskaya Mill is a ruin and a popular attraction in the park.

Royal spruce

Not far from the Dolskaya mill there is the Royal Spruce. Its age is 180 years, and its trunk span is 3 meters. This ancient tree amazes with its scale and majestic appearance.

Khrzhensko

On the border with Germany there is a small but very picturesque city Khrzhensko. In the 15th century, “Bohemian glass” was made in a glass workshop. Tourists will be able to visit this workshop and see with their own eyes the entire process of blowing Czech glass. Tourists often visit the workshop's gift shop, where you can buy various glass vases, glasses, dishes and other items made of crystal and Bohemian glass.

Few people live in the town of Khrzhensko, but everyone is involved in tourism business. Here you can rent a hotel room, visit a restaurant or buy a souvenir. You can leave your car in the parking lot and walk around the area.

Residents' houses are no less striking objects, because they are decorated authentically and resemble small village houses. What is also unique here is that the city has only two parallel streets that run along both banks. If you drive a little further from the village, you can see the waterfall.

Other attractions

Along with these top attractions and popular tourist places, there are other equally beautiful and ancient route points:

Abandoned silver mines. It will be interesting to visit this place with a guide who will tell you more about the ancient mines where silver was mined. You can also go down into the mine and feel involved in this industry.

Falkenstein Castle. This castle is located among the rocks and is difficult to get to. Tourists who decide to climb the mountains will be incredibly amazed by the beauty of nature and architectural features castle building. If you climb to the very high point cliffs, you can view the park territory from a height.
Panska Skala. Another attraction created by nature is a huge 12-meter cliff, which was formed from basalt slabs. A similar natural formation exists in Northern Ireland, but why not visit Panska Skala in Czech Switzerland?

Belvedere observation deck. This is a natural retreat that overhangs the river canyon, and is located near the town of Binovce. From this city you can take a straight road to a site from which you can see sandy cliffs.
Gorges Wild and Quiet. Tourists who find themselves on the steep canyon of the Kamenica River can continue exploring Bohemian Switzerland by boat with local gondoliers between the dams. The first place where they will sail is the Wild Gorge, and a little further is the Quiet Gorge. The latter has a unique waterfall that breaks through the cliff. This is incredible natural object which is a must visit.

Suha Kamenitsa. At the beginning of spring, the canyon of the stream, which flows into the Elbe River, fills with water and small waterfalls gurgle between the rocks. At other times of the year it is not so unusual here, so tourists rarely visit this place.
Kamenice Gorge. Not far from the village of Mezne there is a gorge where tourists ride gondolas and enjoy the wild nature.

Ruzhovsky Vrkh. This place should be visited only by active tourists who are willing to take risks, because the only way to climb Mount Ruzovsky Vrh is along winding paths through the thickets of beech forest. There will be no sights along the way, only nature and people. This is an opportunity to test your endurance, to think, and as a result to consider the view that opens up, which deserves all the effort put into the climb.
Wolf board. This attraction is located near the canyon of the Krinitsa River and is known for its untamed nature. There is also a 17th-century stone slab depicting the story of a successful hunter.

Decinsky Snezhnik is the most high mountain Czech Switzerland and another observation deck. There is a tower from the mid-19th century, 33 meters high, as well as the ruins of a medieval castle.

Independent travel routes

There are many marked routes throughout the park for independent travel. Tourists can plan a route either on their own or seek help tourist centers. You can also enjoy active sports here: rock climbing, horse riding or cycling.

There are a huge number of routes for independent travel in Czech Switzerland, we will post only some of them that you can use:

Route 1: Pravcicka brana – Divoka and Ticha Soutezki. The route is approximately 15 km long and will take approximately 5-6 hours.
Route 2: Arnoltitsy, Ruzhove and Janov. The length of the route is approximately 17 km and will take approximately 4.5-5 hours.
Route 3: Saunštejn Castle – Ptaci kamen observation deck. The length of the route is approximately 11 km and will take approximately 3 hours.
Route 4: Belvedere observation deck. The length of the route is approximately 18 km and will take approximately 5 hours.
Route 5: Jetrichovice rocks. The length of the route is approximately 14 km and will take approximately 4.5 hours.
Route 6: Falkenstein Castle – Rinartice – Pavlinino Udoli. The length of the route is approximately 14 km and will take approximately 4 hours.
Route 7: Greater Doubitsky district. The length of the route is approximately 28 km and will take approximately 8 hours.
Route 8: Narrow stairs. The length of the route is approximately 12-15 km and will take approximately 3-4 hours.
Route 9: Ružovski vrkh. The length of the route is approximately 13 km and will take approximately 4 hours.
Route 10: Jetřichovice Viewpoint – Falkenstein Castle

How to get from Prague to Czech Switzerland on your own?

There are several ways to get to Czech Switzerland:

On public transport: you need to take the train to the city of Decin, and then transfer to bus No. 434, which goes to the Hrzhensko stop.
By car: follow the highway to the town of Decin, and then Hrzhensko. You can leave your car in the parking lot and go explore the national park.
By steamboat on the Elbe River from the city of Decin, but you need to get to this city by train. The final stop is 800 meters from Grzhensk.