Saxon Switzerland

Saxon Switzerland near Dresden presents an impressing, unique nature spectacle. It is a popular excursion destination for tourists as well as for the inhabitants of Dresden themselves, who not only use the National Park Saxon Switzerland for hiking tours, but also for mountain climbing and to spend the night in nature under cliffs (Saxon: "boofen"). 

Together with Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic, Saxon Switzerland forms the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, situated on both sides of the Elbe. In the Cretaceous Period, sand was deposited for a long time due to the tributary of a sea. This sand hardened to sandstone by pressure and other chemical processes. As the sea left, the erosion which led to the formation of the typical variety of shapes, began by influence of weather and the stream of the River Elbe.

The name "Saxon Sitzerland" is said to trace back to two Swiss art students who studied in Dresden in the 18th century and were reminded of their home country by the mountains. In the course of the 19th century, the region became increasingly popular with tourists, as artists of Romanticism felt inspired by the picturesque landscape. 

Typical for the Elbe Sandstone Mountains are the extraordinary rock formations which make Saxon Switzerland an - in regard to the natural space - interesting hiking paradise with numerous viewpoints. Many marked hiking trails for example lead to the Lilienstein mountain, the Bastei or Königstein Fortress. The latter as well as Hohnstein Castle are two preserved fortifications which were erected along with many others in order to protect the trade routes. Also famous is the open-air theatre "Felsbühne Rathen" at which - among other plays - Winnetou plays adapted from Karl May are performed.

You can get to Saxon Switzerland effortlessly by train from Dresden central station or with a paddle steamer of the fleet of the "Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt". Starting from the piers below Brühl's Terrace in Dresden, one of the famous paddle steamers or today also motor ships head towards the national park. 

Discover Dresden with the KIM HOTEL DRESDEN and the KIM HOTEL IM PARK