Saxon Switzerland Attractions Sächsische Schweiz

In the course of time, the present varied landscape forms have developed: the canyon-like Elbe valley and the narrow valleys of its tributaries; the tracts of relatively level ground lying 100-120m/330-390ft above the Elbe valley with their covering of gravel and silt, now under cultivation; the tabular hills with steep rock walls (Lilienstein, 415m/1,361ft; Pfaffenstein, 429m/1,408ft; Königstein, 361m/1,184ft; Grosser Zschirnstein, 561m/1,841ft)), remnants of a once continuous sandstone plateau; rocky areas such as the Bastei (305m/1,001ft) and the Schrammsteine (386-417m/1,266-1,368ft) - labyrinths of stone, with rock buttresses, battlements and pinnacles, gorges and defiles. Tertiary basalts are found only at a few places, for example on the Grosser Winterberg (552m/1,811ft).

For many centuries this area was mainly a source of sandstone, used as building material in towns lower down the Elbe. Although Bad Schandau was frequented as a spa from around 1730, it was only in the early 19th C. with its romantic quest for the beauty of nature that the area was "discovered" and given the name of Saxon Switzerland. There is now an excellent network of waymarked paths and trails leading to the principal sights and natural beauties; and this is also a popular area with climbers.

Much of the Saxon Switzerland has recently been designated as a National Park.