Czech Switzerland Czech Republic. Bohemian Switzerland: excursion routes from Prague

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

This is Czech Switzerland!

Bohemian Switzerland (České Švýcarsko) is the Czech part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, a fantastically delightful piece of nature located in Northern Bohemia, close to the border with Germany. It has everything you need for a full-fledged active or simple vacation: 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, the waters of which covered this territory in prehistoric times. Over time, the water receded and thanks to the influence of the most skillful designers - nature and wind, over the course of many centuries such a unique natural landscape was formed.

What to see in Czech Switzerland?

Pravcicka Brana

It is so incredibly beautiful here that in 2000 the state declared this place a national park of the Czech Republic. The park has many interesting places, but the most interesting attraction is the Pravčická brána Gate, 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, the Pravchitsky Gates made it to the semi-finals of the international competition "Seven Wonders of the World".

There was also no castle. It looks like it's embedded in 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 for that time - one year. Entrance to the Pravchitska Brana is paid. But it's worth it. Right under the arch there is a small cafe and an observation deck, the views from which are breathtaking.

Decin

The Bohemian Switzerland National Park is located near the town of Decin. From here, trips around the reserve usually begin.

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

The smallest zoo in the Czech Republic is the Zoo (Dečina Zoo Děčín). It is located in the city center, in the city forest park and covers an area of only 6 hectares. His specialization is the cultivation of rare species of animals that are hard to endure life in captivity.

To relax and unwind, head to the city water park Decin (Aquapark) or to the Oleshsky Pond (Olešský rybník).

Khrzhensko

The beautiful and hospitable border town of Hřensko is located on the banks of the Kamenice River. This is where the majority begins hiking trails by the reserve. The city has everything for tourists - a tourist information center, large parking lots, hotels, boarding houses, shops.

Tolstein

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

schaunstein

The Šaunštejn rock castle, 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 by a steep staircase in a narrow rocky tunnel. From the top of the rocks, a bewitching panorama opens up.

Falkenstein

Falkenstein rock castle

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

Souteski

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

Sucha Kamenice

Sucha Kamenice is a small stream that flows into Laba. Its valley is beautiful in spring and autumn when there is water. A lot of waterfalls, rustling between the majestic rocks, the channel seems to be paved with paving stones. When there is no water, silence reigns here.

mouse hole

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

Hrzipksa

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

Dolsky Mlyn

The ruins of the medieval mill Dolsky Mlyn (Dolský Mlýn) is a romantic place lost in the forest. Several centuries ago, the mill occupied an important position.

Ruzhovsky Vrh

Ruzhovský hill (Růžovský vrch) is a huge basalt volcanic cone. Hans Christian Andersen, who visited these places several times, called this mountain "Czech Fujiyama". Although there are no tourist attractions on the hill, there are many viewing points from which stunningly beautiful nature is visible.

Viewpoint Belvedere

Viewpoint Belvedere (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 above 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 spruce grown on it. But one day, during a storm, a tree fell and the stove opened. Now we can learn the story of a successful hunt. The road to the board leads through the beautiful Kiyovskaya Valley, the canyon of the Krinitsa River.

Silver mines

In the ancient mines in the town of Yirzhetin pod Yedlova, silver was previously mined. Today you can put on a real mining helmet with a lantern and go down into the amazing world of the dungeon.

How to get to Czech Switzerland

By car

First, head towards the city of Decin, and then Khrzhensko. You can park your car there and continue sightseeing on foot.

By public transport

By train you will reach Decin, and then go towards Khrzhensko by bus number 434. See the schedule with departure times and ticket prices.

On a boat

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

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Nature has created a large number of the most beautiful and incredibly beautiful places all over our planet. Millions of years of transformations and improvements have led to the emergence of such corners that can take away the gift of speech. The same majesty and splendor can be found in the remote outskirts of the Czech Republic.

Czech Switzerland is a place that is sure to make you feel like you are in the middle of something great and magical. Amazing beauty nature, man-made memos, entertainment and relaxation - all this you will find in this nature park. It is located in the northwestern part of the state, and occupies about 80 square kilometers. It is noteworthy that the Czech Switzerland is located right on the border with Germany, where the park continues, but under a different name. Incredible samples of flora and unprecedented fauna, sheer cliffs, mountain streams, waterfalls, historical and natural buildings and picturesque villages - all this will await you on a tour of Czech Switzerland.

Almost in the heart of Europe itself, the park has settled around a canyon, in the crevices of which flows the beautiful river Elba, or as it is called in the Czech Republic - Labe. The canyon itself begins in the town of Decin, and extends to German territory. It is noteworthy that the unique sandstone rocks served as the basis for the canyon, which over millions of years have turned into highly artistic architectural structures created by nature. Also, it is worth noting that recently, namely since 2000, this natural park has received the status of a national reserve. Believe me, you will remember this trip forever.

The reserve will conquer any tourist, not only with its beauty, but also with the freshness of the air, crystal clear waters, greenery, an amazing and harmonious combination of nature and civilization. An interesting fact can be called the reasons for the appearance of this canyon. For a long time, pundits have come to the conclusion that such a mountain formation appeared as a result of the activity of the sea. However, when the water left this area many millennia ago, we inherited all this beauty.

For the convenience of its visitors, a large number of viewing platforms, viewpoints, places to sleep and rest, hotels and tourist routes for independent excursions were created.

Czech Switzerland is remarkable not only for its nature, but also for the number of various tourist spots, which include:

Decinsky complex (castle, zoo, water park);
Pravchitsky gate;
Rock castles Schaunstein and Falkenstein, and the ruins of Tolstein;
Glass manufacture;
Silver mine;
Ruzhovsky hill;
Souteski etc.

All these places are not in vain attracting a huge number of tourists, and each part is worthy of the most thorough tourist study. Therefore, we will consider them in more detail.

Where to go in Czech Switzerland?

As in every yard, the first thing that will meet you when you come to visit is the gate. We also want to start our journey through Czech Switzerland from such a peculiar entrance part as the Pravchitsky Gate. A magnificent, huge natural sculpture that looks like a skillfully made arch. Their height reaches 16 m, and their width is 26 m. The splendor and power that you can feel just by standing right there under this sand and stone sculpture can never be compared with simply looking at beautiful photographs of landscapes. This gate is one of those places that everyone should see. Any tourist will probably just be speechless from such a spectacle. And although it is not possible to enter Brana itself, since this historical monument is protected from destruction, convenient viewing platforms have been specially built so that visitors can still enjoy the fascinating views of the city. Entrance to them is paid, but the cost is pleasant and deserves it one hundred percent.

Pravcicka Brana (Pravcicka Gate)

In the mountain, next to the gate, right in the rock, there is the next attraction - the Falcon's Nest. This small castle evokes the feeling that the building is swallowed up by the rock. The building itself was built in 1881. Today it is a restaurant that is open to all comers. The interior is made in the style of the last century, and the view from the window is simply extraordinary. In addition, on the territory of the castle-estate of the Clari-Aldringen clan, there is also an extensive museum of the entire reserve.

I would like to specifically mention border town Decin, which is historical monument Czech Republic, and it is from it that a tourist journey through the reserve begins. Picturesque places, beautiful landscapes and unforgettable impressions. The city is located in the northwestern part of Bohemia, at the confluence of two rivers - Laba and Plucnica. However, most tourist spots can be found on the right bank of the Laba River. Here you can enjoy the beauties of the Decin Castle, admire and meet the animals in the zoo (1949) and relax in the water park.

Decin map

Another town that cannot be bypassed in your story is Grzhensko, which is located on the very border with German lands. It is considered to be some kind of gate to the hiking part of the reserve. It is from here that you can forget about cars and noisy crowds - here begins the silence and the beauty of walking along the paths that nature has given us. The city itself is full of places where you can stay for the night or find a place to delicious lunch. A nice and cute hospitable city, which, among other things, is also located in incredibly beautiful places. From the houses of local residents, hotels with spas and pensions, unforgettable views of the rocks and wildlife open up.

A memorable place for any tourist will be the ruins of the Tolštejn castle, from the upper walls of which you can view the beautiful panoramas of the Bohemian Switzerland reserve. The place itself has a very long history, the beginning of which goes back to the distant 1337. In addition, this place was considered the residence of the robber barons. Going here on a tour, you can learn a lot of interesting historical information and touch our past.

Next, let's talk about two rock castles Schaunstein and Falkenstein. Schaushtein to this day is represented only by intricate ruins that are dispersed throughout the forest and at first glance resemble a picture from a children's book. But the main viewpoint of this place is the top of the cliff. You can find it only if you are not afraid to climb the rocky stair tunnel. However, once you are there, you will never forget what you saw. Falkenstein, like the castles mentioned above, was built exclusively for military purposes. Now you can take a walk in the center of Czech Switzerland through romantic and historical places - there are restored and convenient paths, viewpoints and convenient viewing platforms.

Perhaps truly one of the most beautiful and picturesque places can easily be called the territory of the Kamenice River. The river itself is an example of a real picturesque landscape that nature could create. However, tourists love it also for other advantages. 2 streams flow into this river from two sides. In these places, it was decided to build two dams, as a result of which the backwaters of extraordinary beauty were formed - Tycha Sutjeska and Divoka Sutjeska. You can look at the magnificence of these places both on foot and using a boat. However, nevertheless, you will get more impressions by coping with the water in a canoe. An interesting fact is some inconsistency between the names of the inflow and their essence. For example, Divoka Sutjeska is a quiet, romantic haven for slow sailing in a boat and looking at the beauties of nature. Its length is only 250 m, but Tiha Sutjeska has several times more length, more restless water, as well as a magical waterfall that tourists will meet along the way.

In addition to the described sights and interesting places, you can enjoy the following tourist spots in the reserve:

Mouse hole. And although this place has nothing to do with small mammals, the point itself is very interesting. It tests your stamina and endurance. It is a steep path that will take you to the tops of the mountains in 3-4 hours;
Khrzhipksa village. Bohemia is famous for making Czech crystal. Here you can witness the whole action if you visit a glass-making workshop;
Dolsky Mlyn. It is located directly on the territory of the reserve and is a medieval mill water wheel;
Belvedere site. This observation terrace is a view point picturesquely created by nature. The site hangs over the canyon, inside which the Laba River flows;
Silver mines. The place where silver mining activities were held in the recent past is now a tourist attraction. Wearing a helmet and armed with a flashlight, you will feel like a real miner.

One day on the territory of the reserve will leave truly indelible impressions in your life that will warm you up for a long time to come.

How to get to Czech Switzerland from Prague?

So, when you have definitely decided that you want to visit this beautiful place, you should carefully consider the route. It is best to get from Prague (Praha), as there is a significant amount of transport from there. However, there are other options as well. Let's look at them all.

Route map to Czech Switzerland

The first option is by private car. Such a trip in the Prague direction will take you about an hour and a half, but from Dresden, a little less - 40-45 minutes. The advantage of this travel option, of course, is the incredibly picturesque pictures on the way. In order to get to Czech Switzerland, when leaving Prague, you need to head towards the city of Teplice, along the E55 highway. Then in the following order: Lovoshchitsy - direction to Usti nad Labem - the city of Decin and Grzhensko.

The second option is a train that will take you almost to the town of Decin, where you can already transfer to a bus to Grzhensko. As mentioned above, it is from this point that a huge number of different hiking trails begin. The address of the bus stop is straightforward - opposite the railway station.

The third option is a steamboat. For romantic ladies who like long slow boat trips, a ferry crossing from Decin to Grzhensko is also a great option.

By the way, we strongly do not recommend resorting to the route, during which you will need to transfer to Usti nad Labem. This is due to the fact that the hours of departure and arrival of transport do not coincide here, which means that you may have to wait a long time for the next train.

Upon arrival in Czech Switzerland, choose very carefully the route of the tourist walk. Remember that some of them are quite heavy and not suitable for the elderly, travelers with health problems, and small children are unlikely to be delighted. In addition, not everywhere you can use a bicycle. Plan your time carefully. For example, it will take you a whole day to explore Brana, which is worth walking to. Keep this in mind and get ready - take snacks, warm clothes and water. If you decide to go also to the territory of Germany, it will take another day. Be sure to get a tourist map, without it it is quite difficult to navigate, and you can miss something truly interesting.

My first trip to "Czech Switzerland" ( České Švýcarsko) was random: while preparing for a Christmas tour of European cities (the main one was Prague), I was looking for something to see on the territory different countries and how best to plan your itinerary. And then I came across the Pravchitsky Gate. “What is it, where is it, how is it?” - there were no answers on the Internet, which means that you have to go and explore everything yourself!

And on the way from Dresden to Prague after the national park "Saxon Switzerland" (and I already talked about the trip there), I find myself in "Czech Switzerland". The nature there is really different from what I used to see in the center of the Czech Republic.

Yes, and inspection of at least the main attractions promises an active holiday. On my second visit to the national park in summer, and not in winter, I spent the whole day exploring the “Saxon” and “Bohemian” Switzerland: I left Dresden early in the morning and returned to Prague late in the evening. And this is taking into account the fact that the distance between cities is some 150 kilometers - not like long-distance trips in Russia.

I had to walk a lot, so I advise you to be fully equipped: sports shoes (preferably with soft shock-absorbing soles, since my feet literally “buzzed” after the Pravchitsky Gate alone), comfortable clothes, a bottle of water and maybe some then a snack.

So, what is the "Czech Switzerland" and what can you see there? Now I'll tell you.

History of the park

I did not hear any legends and epics around the rocks, crevices and canyons formed here several thousand years ago due to the movement of volcanic rocks.

Therefore, I had to look for interesting information myself. It turns out that in the XIII-XIV centuries, colonialists from the lands where modern Germany is now located were invited here, and castles and other buildings were built by their forces. They also began the production of glass and coal mining. But due to the lack of plains and dense forests, their life was, to put it mildly, not simple and very specific. In one place, I saw with my own eyes that food and other necessary things are not so easy to deliver here. But more on that below.

So, all this specificity was reflected in the architecture. But in the last century, many buildings and even settlements fell into disrepair. Probably, the possibility and availability of an easier life played an important role and people simply simply moved. Now in some places on the territory of the "Czech Switzerland" you can see the most picturesque ruins!

I already talked about the name of the park, namely the word "Switzerland", so I will not repeat myself. In 2000, this area was given the status of a national reserve.

Geography of the park

České Švýcarsko- all the same Elbe Sandstone Mountains, which I talked about at the time. More precisely, a quarter of this mountain range. The national park is located in the north of the country, its western border runs along the Elbe River. It was from there that I visited the “Czech Switzerland” both times. Actually, both national parks ("Saxon" and "Czech") are separated by the border between Germany and the Czech Republic, they are adjacent to each other.

The highest point of the national park is Mount Dechinsky Snezhnik ( Děčínský Sněžník) - is located at around 723 meters above sea level. When I first heard about it, I smiled: I arrived in “Bohemian Switzerland” shortly after the Austrian Alps, where I lived in a hotel at an altitude of about 1,200–1,300 meters. But, in the end, the reserve is not famous for its mountains!

Further along the text, I added some cards. They will help you get a better idea of the geography of the area, but they are unlikely to explain how to get to a particular attraction. But! In the nearest locality for each of them (and you can see them on my maps) you can take a detailed paper map, as well as use the signs along the roads and trails. The park took care of the convenience of sightseeing, which I personally really liked.

How to get to "Czech Switzerland"

There are two global options: with a tour or on your own. I chose to travel in a rented car without guides and a group of onlookers. But for those who want to take a tour of the reserve, I advise you to read about tours from Dresden or Prague to "Saxon Switzerland" (they also offer the Czech part there, I think). Prices, it seems to me, are similar, because there are parks in the neighborhood. Below I will tell you about an independent way to the "Czech Switzerland" by car.

From Prague

From Prague to "Czech Switzerland" you can call in from different directions. There is an option to travel through Hřensko. It is not far from this city that the Pravchitsky Gates are located. By the way, the first time I read Hřensko as Khrensko (I didn’t see the gap above the letter “r”, which makes the sound [rzh]), it just happened: to this day I call the innocent town almost like a vegetable (everyone makes associations to the extent of depravity, right?). I marked the route Via Khrzhensko on the map below, the first half of the way will pass through the motorway, and then I suggest moving along the usual highway past cities and picturesque fields.

You can also enter via Jetřichovice. To the city of Decin (Děčín), the route is the same as the previous one, and at the fork, follow the signs.

Or Krasna Lipa. In theory, you can drive through the same Decin (Děčín), it seems to me that in terms of time it will not be too big a detour.

But the last half hour flew by faster: there were still no toilets along the way, the flow of backpackers is small, but there is always, so now the “walk!” backed up not only by curiosity, but also by obvious necessity.

Along the way, there were such cute “installations”: I don’t know who and why “propped up” the mountain, but the spectacle amused me.

And finally, you can see the estate of the Falcon's Nest (now the hotel / restaurant of the same name) and the Pravchitsky Gates to the right of it. It would seem, only to extend a hand. It was not there: the vertical distance from me to the destination was several tens of meters, which also had to go in a winding way.

But all efforts were justified. The height of the arch itself reaches 26 meters, so standing in this natural opening, you feel all the greatness of nature. In addition, near the gate there was a stall with my favorite ones. By the way, they cost less than at: only 1.25 EUR or 34 CZK.

After passing through the arch of the gate, you can see many paths leading to the viewing platforms. And literally "the whole world is at your feet."

The Falcon's Nest

Almost under the Pravchitsky gates there is a summer estate Falcon's Nest. Once the owners accommodated noble guests in it. Now inside the castle there is an exhibition about the history of "Bohemian Switzerland" and a restaurant.

The original murals have been preserved in the restaurant, and the interior is designed in the style of the beginning of the last century.

I did not have dinner at the restaurant, as the local worker, as I understood, had already closed it. To be honest, I couldn’t fully understand him: he agreed to speak only in Czech and German, so the conversation went almost “on the fingers”. But they let me go to the toilet.

Near the "Falcon's Nest" there is a booth with a ropeway control.

I understand that it’s not easy to walk and carry the necessary things here, so a utility box runs along the cable car, where you can put everything you need and send it up or down.

Lupezhnitsky castle or Schaunstein (Šaunštejn)

I heard that the castle used to be a robber castle. That is, they built it as a fortification, but later it was captured by robbers and changed its name. Šaunštejn is translated as "thieves' castle".

The castle itself has not been preserved, so at present you can be content with ruins and a good observation platform.

Connecting bridges are laid between the parts of this site. You know, the sensations are quite exciting when you walk like this literally next to the abyss along a connecting structure that is quite easy at first glance!

Dolsky mill (Dolský Mlýn)

They say that the fragments that have survived from the mill date back to the beginning of the 14th century!

I heard that in the middle of the last century, the place even became the scenery of a Czech fairy tale movie. You can even say that the film glorified this attraction.

Over time, without care, the mill fell into disrepair more and more, until in 2007 it was declared a cultural monument and the process of destruction was stopped.

By the way, a hundred meters upstream there is a unique building: a reinforced concrete bridge. I heard that this is the first such structure (made of steel and concrete) in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the bridge was built shortly before its collapse.

The nearest village to the mill is Stone Slopes (Kamenická Stráň) located one kilometer away.

royal spruce

They say that half a kilometer from the Dolskaya mill there is one spruce. Its age is about 180 years, and the coverage of the trunk is about 3 meters. Alas, I myself did not see this ancient tree, as I was limited in time, but you are not too lazy and take a walk to it from the mill.

Hrzhensko (Hrensko)

To be honest, I really liked this small town almost on the border with Germany. Most likely, there are few just residents here: almost everyone runs a hotel, a restaurant, or something else for the needs of tourists. But the 2-3-storey houses are decorated in a very authentic way, this is how small rural towns or villages seem to me.

I also liked the fact that globally in Khrzhensko there are only two streets running parallel along two banks. Still, high cliffs do not give room for expanding the territory inland.

If you drive along the rivulet from the road where you turned onto Khrzhensko (remember, I asked you to remember this path?), then at the very end of it, in front of the parking lot, which I mentioned in the part about Pravchitsky Gates, there is a waterfall.

Near it, I took two identical shots towards the city: one in winter, and the second in summer.

The difference, in my opinion, is not big.

There are many souvenirs near the track, but I did not buy anything there. It’s hard to say what the prices are: on the one hand, this is the Czech Republic, on the other hand, Germany and its prices are quite close. There is also another parking lot, you can ask the workers about the toilet nearby.

Other attractions

There are places where I did not manage to visit, but I will definitely make up for it on my next visit:

Dittersbacher Peaks.
Waterfalls near Brtniki.
Boat trip on the river Křinice (Kirnitzschklamm) on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany.

And that's just what I heard after the trip. I'm almost sure that if you start digging, less touristy places in the national park may come up.

Routes in the park

At the moment, there are dozens of well-marked hiking trails and routes in the park: signs, certain specifics of coverage and relief under the guise of tourism, picturesqueness. In "Czech Switzerland" you can climb, ride horses, ride a bike, camp in equipped places (and only in them!).

True, I was engaged in researching the territory on my own, without resorting to the help of tourist centers, but I can tell you the addresses of organizations that will help, if necessary, organize your leisure time:

In the city of Krasna Lipa (Krásná Lípa).
- Opening hours: June - August from 09:00 to 18:00, January - February until 16:00, in other months until 17:00; break from 12:00 to 12:30.
- Address: Krinickenam. 5, Krasna Lipa 407 46.
In Khrzhensko (Hrensko).
- Opening hours: November - January from 09:00 to 17:00, in other months until 18:00.
- Address: Hrensko 71, 407 17 Hrensko.
In Srbska Kamenice.
- Address: Nam. Miru 73, Ceska Kamenice, 407 21.
In Jetrichovice.
- Address: Jetshichovice 393, CZ - 407 16.

Among the main routes, I know there are:

To the rocky gates (Pravchitsky): along the ornate stones and paths, then along the rocky wall (I passed it too). Then the program "Falcon's Nest" - a visit near the gates of observation platforms on the tops of rocks.
To the Dolskaya mill.
to Schaunstein.

Where to stay

If you want to prefer camping to a hotel, then in the above-mentioned tourist centers you should ask about special parking lots, you cannot set up a tent camp outside equipped campsites: after all, it is a specially protected zone.

If you are more attracted to the east, then choose Krasna Lipa or Chrzybska.

Room prices start from 8-10 EUR for a campsite and from 45 EUR for a double room.

"Czech Switzerland" in winter

I was in the national park in the winter, but they had a rather slushy winter at that time, so there was no question of any walk along the forest paths. Castle Falcon's Nest, again, summer. So I had to be content with waterfalls on the rivers and towns around the "Czech Switzerland".

Also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

Have something to add?

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

miraculous sights

most high mountain The Czech Republic of Switzerland is Decinsky Sneznik, which rises 723 meters above sea level. This indicates that this mountain range is low. Mountain formations arose millennia ago, creating an amazingly beautiful landscape: bizarre rocks, crevices, canyons. The most picturesque part of the national park is the canyon of the Kamenice River and the ancient artificial reservoir.

Particular attention is drawn to such an attraction of the park as the Pravchitsky Gates, which have become a kind of symbol of the reserve. They are natural gates made of rock and are the largest creation of nature 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 rocky rock of the gate is also impressive, which at its narrowest point is 3 meters. The upper part of the arch is quite narrow, so access to its platform is closed.

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

"Falcon's Nest" and Dolskaya Mill

Nearby, almost under the Pravchitsky gates, there is a small castle "Falcon's Nest", built in the 80s of the XIX century. Today on the second floor of the building there is an exposition of the National Park Museum. The first floor is occupied by a restaurant with an originally decorated interior, where amazing murals have been preserved.

The Dolskaya mill is also a tourist attraction of the national park. These are preserved fragments of a water mill, the date of construction of which is said to be 1515. In the middle of the last century, the windmill served as a backdrop 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, suspending 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. It is a unique historical building, as it is the first object built of reinforced concrete on the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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

Rock castle Schaunstein

Schaunstein Castle, built in the first half of the 14th century, is located on the territory of the park in a dense forest. 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 only ruins remain of it.

The upper platform of the structure, which is approximately 70 meters long and 20 meters 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, a part of the main tower of the structure was found, which could serve as a prison or storage room.

Viewpoints of the reserve

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

Another platform in the form of a huge terrace, as if hanging over the canyon where the Elbe flows. It's called Belvedere, and was built by the Kaeri Aldringen family, who owned for the most part territory of Czech Switzerland. Until today, their coat of arms, carved right on the rock, has been preserved.

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

The rocky areas around the city of Decin (Decin, 80 km northwest of Prague) received the figurative name "Czech Switzerland" (Ceske Svycarsko, www.npcs.cz). These regions received their rather unusual name not at all from the country of Switzerland, but in honor of two Swiss artists - Adrian Zing and Anton Graff, who worked on the reconstruction of the Dresden Gallery and in free time who traveled plein air to small villages near the Saxon-Czech border. They liked these places so much that both masters decided not to return home under the pretext that they had already found their Switzerland.

This poetic name, however, poorly reflects the real landscapes of the region - the massifs of the Elbe Sandstone, Decinsky and Middle Bohemian Mountains are low here (the maximum point is Dechinsky Snezhnik, 722 m) and heavily destroyed, and the more well-preserved ancient volcanic massifs are indented by canyons, river valleys and crevices. But on the other hand, the general charm of these places more than compensates for some discrepancy between names, and the most beautiful territories became part of the national park of the same name.

Attractions

The decoration of these places is a geological phenomenon Panska Skala(Panska skala, Herrnhausfelsen) - a massive cliff made of polygonal columns of basalt. It was formed millions of years ago in the process of intrusion of red-hot magma into the thickness earth's crust. In fact, these polygonal columns, somewhat reminiscent of organ pipes, are, so to speak, basalt crystals, exposed by erosion processes and human activity (the massif "manifested" during the development of a quarry at the end of the 19th century). Unlike its famous counterpart in Northern Ireland, the 12-meter Panska Rock is easily accessible and lies just 500 meters south of highway number 13, near the village of Prachen (Prachen, 18 km east of Decin).

The second point of attraction in the region is the picturesque Gorge Kamenice. From the village of Mezna (Mezna, 12 km northeast of Decin), a "green" hiking trail descends into the coolness of the canyon of the Kamenice River, running from the east, from the slopes of the Lusatian Mountains, and breaking through the cliffs of the Chinsky Mountains (Chinsky Steni) in this area . After crossing the thirty-meter gorge on a wooden bridge (Mezni mustek), you can go down to the piers, from where mini-excursions on punts start down the river to the Quiet (Ticha souteska) and Wild (Divoka souteska) gorges, to the colorful village of Mezni Louka, it’s already better to climb here on foot along the “blue” path, although there is also a river here), the village of Grzhensko (Hrensko, here the river flows into the Elbe) or climb 5 km up the river, to the village of Jetrichovice, where the canyon shallows and turns into a picturesque valley, or another 8 kilometers to the south, to the picturesque town of Ceska Kamenice (Ceska Kamenice, Bohmisch Kamnitz, 18 km east of Decin along highway No. 13) with its beautiful pilgrimage church.

The massifs of the Elbe Sandstone, Decinsk and Middle Bohemian Mountains are low here (the maximum point is Decinski Snezhnik, 722 m) and strongly destroyed, and the more well-preserved ancient volcanic massifs are cut by canyons, river valleys and crevices. In total, 79 square meters are allocated for the protected area. km, however, a lot of interesting things are concentrated on such a small at first glance territory - the geological phenomenon of Panska Skala (Panska skala, Herrnhausfelsen), composed of polygonal columns of basalt, the picturesque gorges of Kamenice, Sucha-Kamenice, Quiet (Edmundovo) and Wild, a rocky arch bridge " Pravcicka Gate (Pravcicka Brana), picturesque mountain settlements (a total of about 36 towns and villages), 15 hiking and cycling trails with a total length of about 110 km, the castle-hotel "Falcon's Nest" (1881, now there is a reserve museum and a restaurant ), castles in Decin (X-XVII centuries, one of the oldest in Europe) and Binovec (Binovec), excellent viewing platforms of the Capital Mountain (Stolicna Hora), Snezhitsk (Snezicka vyhlidka) and Belveder (Belveder), "Czech Fujiyama" - Mount Ruzovsky Vrch (Ruzovsky Vrch, 619 m), as well as picturesque forests and many clean rivers.

How to get there

You can get to the national park through the towns of Decin, Grzhensko, Krasna Lipa and Jetrshikhovice from Prague by train (Hlavniho Nadrazi station) or by bus to Decin (about an hour and a half), then transferring to local buses (from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the final points). It is also easy to drive from Dresden via Sebnitz and Mikulaszowice to Krasna Lipa.