Sightseeing in Saxon’s Switzerland
View of the famous Lilienstein from the Fortress Königstein
Saxon Switzerland, a portion of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains located in Saxony, has been treasured as a hiking and relaxation area since the 19th century. The checkered landscape captivates the visitor– the Elbe Valley is complete with canyon-like formations, tributaries flowing from the Elbe, cultivated plateaus dotting the upper valley areas, wooded mesas arranged throughout the valley like lone islands and the sandstone cliffs off to the east.

The Bastei being the oldest and most famous area in the Sandstone Mountains is one of the first stops for many tourists. Here you will find the Tourist Center. The area is an 800 hectare natural park preserve including the 300 meter high Bastei plateau. Numerous rock inlets, which create beautiful and peaceful hiking trails separate the plateau and lead to the many climbing cliffs found here.


A good starting point for a day hike is the village of Rathen – the origin of the Bastei trail. The captivating trail leads to the Amselsee surrounded by the jutting cliff formations such as the Locomotive, the Guardsman, the Small Monk and the Big Goose. The idyllic area invites one and all to relax on a romantic boat ride.

The Gate to Saxon’s Switzerland is the town of Pirna. Here the valley narrows and the landscape changes over to steep, rocky overhangs and cliffs, which line both sides of the river. A popular starting point for mountain climbers and backpackers, easily recognized by their climbing ropes, carabiners and hooks and adding to the charm of the mountains.

Ruling over the town of Königstein is the fortress situated atop a 360 meter high mountain. It was once the most powerful fortress of its kind in Germany and impresses not only in its military history and historic buildings but also in the views it offers over the Elbe River Valley. It was strengthened and reconstructed since the 16th century to become the stronghold in Saxony and has never fallen. It has entered the history books notorious as the state prison. One of its most infamous prisoners from 1706 to 1707 was none other than Johann Friedrich Böttger, an alchemist imprisoned by the king forced to produce gold. Although he was never successful in producing gold, he made one of the most important discoveries for the region, he invented "white gold", – the first white porcelain (bone china) in Europe. This in turn led to the founding of a porcelain manufacturing business in Meißen known today as the famous Meißner Porcelain..