Bastei - an amazing stone miracle of Germany (4 photos)
Do you know which landmark of Saxon Switzerland most visited? This is a rock massif and the Bastei bridge. Probably worth it to clarify: this natural-historical complex is located in Germany, and Saxon Switzerland is a national park in the east of the country, on the border with Czech Republic. The Bastei Bridge is located 24 km from Dresden, between small resorts Rathen and Velen. 
Bastei rocks
Right above the Elbe, where the river makes a sharp turn, steep, narrow and high stone pillars rise to a height of almost 200 meters. The Bastei rocks look like the fingers of a huge hand coming out of the most depths of the earth's surface. Bastei - magnificent and incredibly beautiful a creation of nature, consisting of sandstone rocks with numerous terraces, caves, arches and narrow valleys. Pine forest islands and solitary trees growing in the most inaccessible and unexpected places, make this stone masterpiece of nature amazingly alive.
Saxon Switzerland has long attracted travelers with its magnificent landscapes, and Bastei became the object of mass tourism. At the very beginning of the 19th century, shops were built here, in 1824 built a bridge between the rocks, and in 1826 opened a restaurant. 
Among artists from all over the world, Mount Bastei in Germany were popular. The most famous painting painted here is "Felsenpartie im Elbsandsteingebirge" by Kasper David Friedrich. But the beauty of Saxon Switzerland amazed and inspired not only artists: Alexander Scriabin, who was here for a long time, was impressed by what he saw, he wrote the prelude "Bastei".
Also, these fantastic rocks have always been used popular with climbers. And not to destroy is not too durable sandstone climbing equipment, now the number of routes for climbers are limited.
Bastei Bridge
All tourists traveling to Saxon Switzerland, must visit the Bastei bridge. It is not surprising that this a modern historical and architectural monument is incredibly picturesque. 
The bridge was originally wooden, but as the number of tourist arrivals has been constantly increasing, there has been a the need to replace it with a more robust design. In 1851 his changed, and sandstone was used as a building material. The modern bridge has 7 spans spanning a deep gorge Mardertel. The entire structure is 40 meters high and 76.5 meters long. TO There are several memorial plaques attached to the bridge, telling about important historical events that took place here.
Fortress Neurathen
The area that once housed a powerful 13th century fortress, surrounded by a palisade of dark logs and some the remains of the fortress itself. By the way, "bastei" is translated as "bastion", and from this word comes the name of local rocks.
Walking through the territory of the former fortification can be compared with walk through the mountain labyrinth: wind stairs to the right and left, up and down. Here are the remains of wooden floors carved into the rock room, catapult. In the lower courtyard there is a stone cistern into which was collecting rainwater - that was the only way to get here drinking water. 
From here one of the best views of the bridge, rocks, Bastei Gorge in Germany. You can even see the open theater sky, spread out among the forest at the foot of the rocks. May to September for operas are staged on its stage and music festivals are held.
This is interesting
Saxon Switzerland is not only picturesque cliffs and a bridge Bastei. This park in Germany is famous for another attraction - the ancient fortress of Königstein, located on the mountain of the same name. This fortification complex has more than 50 different structures, including the second deepest well in Europe (152.5 m). IN the arsenal houses a museum dedicated to the military history of Germany, and its the most significant exhibit is the country's first submarine.
