National Park - Space for wilderness

Ruggedly towering rock formations, unspoilt forests and deep valleys alternate with plateaus and mesas - the Elbe Sandstone Mountains are an extraordinary natural refuge. Rare plants and animals are native here. With an area of over 172.5 km², the cross-border protection area of the Saxon and Bohemian national parks forms the particularly protected core of the cultural landscape.

In order to preserve the natural heritage, the protective idea of letting nature be nature is to be implemented in this area. The aim is to create a natural space, a wilderness to protect endangered species. Largely unaffected by humans over long periods of time, an intact ecosystem could develop here, where scientific environmental observations, environmental education and nature experiences are also possible.

The region of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is full of diversity and contrasts. Unspoiled nature directly meets agricultural land and settlements. Nature and culture unite here to form an unmistakable whole. This cross-border landscape extends over a total area of more than 700 Square kilometre. In order to preserve its uniqueness, parts of it have been designated as protected areas.

In 1956 the Saxon Switzerland Landscape Protection Area was created and in 1990 the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Today, both protected areas are being developed together as the Saxon Switzerland National Park Region. On the Czech side, the Protected Landscape Area Elbsandsteingebirge (CHKO Labské pískovce) has existed since 1972 and the National Park Bohemian Switzerland (Národní park České Švýcarsko) since 2000.

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains already reveal in their name what they are made of: Ragged and weathered sandstone defines the landscape. Its formation began in the Cretaceous period 100 million years ago. Over a period of 7 million years, thick layers of sediment were deposited at the bottom of a Cretaceous inland sea. Due to high pressure, the sediment solidified and a compact sandstone plate was formed. After the sea retreated, the massive plate was exposed to strong tectonic processes. The Lusatian granodiorite massif partially pushed onto this massive chalk layer package and with the uplift of the Ore Mountains plateau in the Tertiary, the sandstone layers tilted so that older sediments resurfaced in the southwest. These processes formed a strongly indented profile, which was partially buried and leveled by deposition of the advancing inland ice during the last cold period in the so-called flatlands. Until today, wind and water continue to model the Elbe.

Since its settlement in the 13th century, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains have been repeatedly changed by man. The traces are manifold and characterize the landscape until today. Natural resources formed the basis of life for the inhabitants. Settlements with agricultural land as well as road, later road and rail networks developed. The extraction of wood and forestry reshaped the forest. Sandstone quarrying established entire industries in the region. For a long time, rivers were the only supply and transport routes and were regulated accordingly.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, tourism played an increasingly important role. Saxon Switzerland quickly developed into a magnet for visitors. Climbing facilities and signposting soon facilitated access to the mountains. Today, more than three million guests visit the region every year. A balancing act between nature conservation and regional development. Sensitive tourism is to be promoted by the idea of national park partners. Companies with a sustainable and environmentally friendly way of working are ambassadors of the national park idea.

Bad Schandau is embedded in the Saxon-Bohemian Elbe valley landscape. Downstream of the Elbe lie culturally and historically significant cities such as Pirna, Dresden and Meissen. Upstream, the Elbe crosses the Bohemian low mountain range, where the countless cone-shaped basalt peaks of the mountains form a beautiful hilly landscape.      

Directly to the northeast of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is Lusatia with its Sorbian customs and beautiful half-timbered houses. Highlights are cities like Bautzen and Görlitz or the natural areas of the Upper Lusatian Mountains and the Zittau Mountains. A trip to the Upper Lusatian Pond and Heathland Biosphere Reserve is also very rewarding.

To the west of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains rise the Eastern Ore Mountains. The region is not only known for its low mountain range and winter sports. Mining determined the history and customs of this region. The occurrence and mining of tin, silver and iron ore gave the whole mountain range its name. A visit to one of the show tunnels or mining museums is recommended.