Bohemian Switzerland - National Park of the Czech Republic. Natural monument czech switzerland czech switzerland how to get from prague
Bohemian Switzerland is an amazingly beautiful corner of nature in the northern part of the Czech Republic, not far from the Elbe River. Here you can see waterfalls, rivers, sandstone mountains, grottoes, silver mines, canyons and mountains. also in national park there are several ancient castles and a picturesque mill.
General information
The Bohemian Switzerland Park, also known as Bohemian Switzerland or Saxon Switzerland (as the Germans call it), is located near the Czech border with Germany and 136 km from Prague. Occupies an area of 80 sq. km.
The park was founded in 2000 with the aim of protecting and preserving the unique natural landscape in the area. The pride of the park are rare sandstone rock formations, a dozen ancient trees and rare plant species.
According to historians, thousands of years ago, hunters and fishermen lived in this territory, whose tools people still find today. In the Middle Ages, robbers and murderers settled in this territory, and in the 17-18 centuries, the richest clans of the Czech Republic built castles and fortresses here.
In the 19th century, the future national park gradually becomes popular place rest like local residents and foreign guests. Since the 1950s, Czech Switzerland has developed as an independent tourist destination.
What to see in the park
The Pravcicka Gate is the most recognizable landmark and symbol of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. Since the end of the 19th century, hundreds of tourists come here every day to look at the unique sandstone cliffs (and they have been forming for hundreds of thousands of years!). The height of the gate reaches 16 meters, and the width is 27. As many believe, this is the most picturesque and unusual place in the park.
Interestingly, in 2009 Pravchitsky Gate competed for the title of one of the 7 wonders of the world, but failed to reach the final. And this happened fortunately, because back in 1982, due to the large number of travelers, the management had to close the top of the rock to the public.
Approaching the sights, you will surely pay attention to the educational trail, or, as it is often called, the lynx path. There are a dozen stands made of wood, which represent animals and birds that can be found in this area.
Please note that the observation deck, which is located on the Pravcicka Gate, is closed in bad weather for independent travelers.
Schaunstein Castle, standing on the rocks, was built at the beginning of the 14th century by one of the most influential dynasties. However, after some time the fortress was abandoned, and fugitive robbers began to settle here.
Due to the fact that no one took care of the castle for almost 500 years, it is in a deplorable state: 2 out of 3 bridges that lead to the fortress have been destroyed, and neither furniture nor personal belongings of former residents have been preserved in the building itself.
In the courtyard there is a well and a suspension bridge (restored). This attraction is worth a visit in order to feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and learn something new about the history of the Czech Republic.
Falkenstein rock castle
Falkenstein Castle, like the previous fortress, is rocky. It was built at the end of the 14th century as a military fortress, however, robbers settled here in the middle of the 15th century. In the 17th century, the fortress was completely deserted. Interest in this area began in the 19th century - students loved to relax and have fun here.
Despite this, the castle is well preserved. For example, in the building you can see the original stone altar and some interior items of that time.
Souteski
Souteski streams are two small picturesque streams (Quiet and Wild), which flow into more major rivers. Tourists are advised to rent a boat and go to water travel. The current in the rivers is not rough, so there is no point in worrying about safety.
During the water promenade, you will see several waterfalls, a dozen small bridges crossing the river in the most unexpected places, a mill, and beautiful rocks and oddly shaped trees. On average, the walk lasts 30-40 minutes.
Dolski Mlyn or Dolski Mill is perhaps the most romantic place in the entire park. In the Middle Ages, it was very popular with merchants and artisans, and the mill was a symbol of economic stability.
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Dolski Mlyn became famous thanks to the film “The Arrogant Princess”, before the filming of which not only the mill was restored, but also the nearby territory was landscaped.
However, time takes its toll, and the mill is gradually destroyed. Lovers still like to come here on dates, and travelers admire the picturesqueness of this attraction.
Ruzhovsky Vrh or hill - small mountain, whose height reaches 619 meters. Thanks to a large number viewing platforms located on this mountain, it is very popular with tourists.
Previously, there was an observation tower on the mountain (19th century) and a small hotel (20th century), but due to the difficult economic situation in the 30s. Everything was abandoned in the 20th century. Interestingly, not even ruins remained of the former buildings.
Interestingly, the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, who visited these places more than once, called the hill “Czech Fujiyama”.
Belvedere is the oldest and most visited observation deck in Bohemian Switzerland. It looks like a huge terrace carved into the rock and hanging over a cliff. You can get to it either on foot or by transport.
Don't forget to make a couple beautiful photos Czech Switzerland from this observation deck.
The wolf board is a monument carved in stone with mysterious inscriptions dating back to the 16-17th century. According to legend, one hunter killed two wolves at once in a day, and decided to perpetuate this achievement. Now next to the stone is another plastic tablet, which has a translation of the text into English and Czech.
It is interesting that the descendants of the forester still live near these places to this day.
The Czech Republic has been considered the leader in silver mining in Europe for several centuries. One of the main deposits was located in Yirzhetin pod Yedlova. Work has not been carried out here for more than 200 years, and tourists are happy to receive tourists in the mines. The largest and most popular is the mine of John the Theologian, which can only be entered in the warm season.
Tours are held daily at 10.00 and 14.00. Travelers, wearing helmets and holding flashlights, can walk along the gallery, which is 360 meters long.
The Falcon's Nest is perhaps the most beautiful castle located in the park. It was erected in 1882 as the summer residence of the Clari family, in which the princes received only the most honored guests.
Now on the first floor of the building there is a restaurant (the only one in the park), and the second floor is used as a historical museum. According to tourists, the prices in the restaurant are very high, and the choice of dishes is not large. But all this is more than paid off by the incredible views that open from the panoramic windows of the restaurant. As for the museum, it is dedicated to all the sights that can be seen in the park.
Park routes
Like all national parks, Bohemian Switzerland has several hiking trails. tourist routes for independent travelers, however, you will have to choose one:
Grzhensko 
Tip: Decide on a route independent travel in Czech Switzerland is necessary in advance, since the starting points are different for everyone. Also adequately assess your strengths: the landscape in the park is mountainous, and you won’t be able to complete the route in the middle.
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How to get from Prague
national park Czech Switzerland (Czech Republic) and Prague are separated by 136 km. If you go to the park without an excursion, then it is better to get to Czech Switzerland from Prague like this:
It is necessary to purchase train tickets (run every 3-4 hours) at the box office of the Central railway station in Prague. Tickets for the boat and bus can be bought from the drivers.
Answering the question of how to get to the Czech Switzerland National Park on your own quickly and without transfers, we have to state with regret: no way. If the above options are not suitable, it is better to think about purchasing an excursion from a travel agency.
Also, many experienced travelers advise getting to Czech Switzerland from Prague by car: it is both fast and very convenient.
Practical information
- Opening hours: 9.00 - 18.00 (June-August), 9.00 - 16.00 (January-February), 9.00 - 17.00 (March-May, September-December).
- Entry fee: 50 CZK.
- In addition, in the park you can buy an excursion "Edmund's Gorge" (80 kroons for adults and 40 for children) and rent a boat on your own.
- Official website: www.ceskesvycarsko.cz
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Czech Switzerland is one of the largest and most beautiful national parks countries that everyone can visit on their own.
Walk in the park Bohemian Switzerland:
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Czech Switzerland(České Švýcarsko) is the most beautiful corner of nature in the north-west of the Czech Republic. The area adjoins the German "Saxon Switzerland" and is famous for its unusual shape of limestone cliffs, gorges and dense forests that stretch out in the Elbe (Labe) river basin. In 2000, an area of 79 km2 officially became a national park and came under state protection.
Ironically, it is more convenient to get to the park from German Dresden than from Prague. We take the train to Schöna station, go to the ferry and, please, you are in Grzhensko, from where several popular hiking trails start!
From Prague to Decin (here it is worth seeing the local castle) can be reached by train - just over 2 hours on the way. Further to the town of Hřensko - by bus or taxi. The second option is preferable because you don't have to wait, but the trip will cost about 350 kroons
From Decin, you can also get to the place by sailing on a boat sailing along the Laba. The final stop is in the village of Shmilka on the German side of the border, then to the crossing in Grzhensko with a kilometer walk
Another interesting way- again by train from Prague. Direction to Decin, there is a transfer to the line to the German Bad Schandau and get off at Schöna station. Next, you already know…
The honor of opening the region to the public belongs to Adrian Zing and Anton Graff, two Swiss artists and teachers at the Dresden Art Academy, who lived in the mid-18th century. In search of "nature" they traveled along the Elbe, visiting places between Pirna and Chrzhensko, and painted a lot.
Almost immediately, their landscapes attracted attention and the tourist reached out to these places for unusual beauties. One of the most famous people who did not fail to visit here: the author of fairy tales, the Dane Hans Christian Andersen, who paid two visits, in 1831 and 1851.
Gorge Kamenitsa
What to watch
There are several routes that allow you to see Czech Switzerland in detail: both on foot and by bicycle.
Czech Switzerland
Let's mention iconic places national park, without seeing which not a single tourist will leave here:
Pravčická brána is the largest natural limestone arch in Europe, 26 meters long and 16 meters high. You can’t climb it - it’s fraught, but it’s absolutely necessary to see it.
In 1881, Prince Edmund Clari und Olringen, who owned local lands, built a castle next to Pravcicka Brana, called the "Falcon's Nest". The castle was built in just one year: today the building houses the National Park Museum and a restaurant with great views.
"Falcon's Nest" and Pravcicka Brana
Kamenice is a river flowing in a winding mountain gorge. Especially beautiful is the backwater of Tiha Souteska, the “Quiet Gorge” (Tichá soutěska), - for almost a kilometer, tourists from boats can contemplate sheer walls up to a hundred meters high, rocks that tried, but never slipped into the water, relic pine groves.
- Edmund's Gorge - the most colorful part of Kamenitsa
The village of Jetřichovice, a convenient starting point for traveling through the mountain range of the same name. Nearby you can visit the Falkenštejn castle and the Mariina skála, a beautiful view point at an altitude of 428 meters.
The ruins of the Shaunstein fortress (Šaunštejn) on a lonely rock - it was destroyed either in the 15th or in the 16th century and has not been restored since then.
© Eurotraveler.ru
Czech Switzerland
When tourists first hear such a name, their minds are concerned with only one question: where does Switzerland come from in the Czech Republic. It sounds really interesting, but in reality we are talking about an amazingly beautiful national park, which, due to its views and landscape, has such an unusual name as Bohemian Switzerland.
Why is this place interesting for a tourist?
Bohemian Switzerland is part of the territory of the Elbe Sandy Mountains, which belongs to the Czech Republic. Tellingly, in Germany this area is called Saxon Switzerland. The territory of the park has nearly 80 square meters. m, and since 2000 it has officially acquired the status of a reserve. On the map of the country, Czech Switzerland is located in the northwestern region, near the headwaters of the Elbe River.
The reserve got its name thanks to two Swiss artists who traveled to these places in their free time and created, inspired by the local beauty. The masters of the brush did not even want to return home, arguing that they found their Switzerland in the Czech Republic.
Attractions of the Bohemian Switzerland Reserve
The park has a number of interesting and fascinating places, the creator of which was nature itself. So, what to see and where to take a souvenir photo in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park:
In one of the matches of the third round of the group stage of the World Ice Hockey Championship, the Czech Republic will face Switzerland. The match will take place in Copenhagen and starts on May 8 at 21-15 Moscow time.
Content:
Lifebet.ru notes that literally on the eve of the world championship, the national teams held two friendly matches between themselves, in which the Czechs confidently won twice.
Czech
The Czech national team is currently outside the top four in the group, but the team played only two more matches, and at the same time they played very well. In the course of the opening match, the Czechs were inferior to the Slovakian team, but showed fighting qualities and won the final victory in overtime 3-2. The day before, the team was defeated in the fight against Sweden 2-3.
Switzerland
The Swiss team, in turn, managed to score five points in two starting meetings, settling in the top half of the group. Moreover, in the first round, the team heavily defeated Austria. According to the results of regular time, there was a draw 2-2, and only in overtime did the Swiss tip the scales in their favor. Following was a fairly convincing victory over the Slovakian team 2-0.
Live online broadcast of the match Czech Republic - Switzerland
Match odds Czech Republic - Switzerland
- P1 - 1.99-2.05
- X - 4.25-4.35
- P2 - 3.15-3.25
- 1X - 1.33-1.37
- 12 – 1,2-1,24
- X2 - 1.77-1.82
Total odds:
- less than 3.5 - 3.05-3.15
- more than 3.5 - 1.36-1.4
- less than 4.5 - 2.02-2.08
- more than 4.5 - 1.83-1.88
Czech Republic — Switzerland expert forecast
This calendar year, the Czech national team has already beaten the Swiss three times, and now this trend is also likely to continue.
Salt to taste
After all, the Czechs scored only two points in the opening matches, and now the team needs to win. In general, lifebet.ru offers a prediction for the match Czech Republic - Switzerland: Czech Republic Victoria with a zero handicap.
Even this confrontation is unlikely to be over productive, and for sure the number of goals in it will not exceed 5.5. Along with this, we are betting that the Swiss will not be able to hit the opponent's goal more than 2.5 times.
Important statistics and interesting facts
- Note that in the last ten personal meetings, the Czech team won eight times, losing to the Swiss team only twice.
Excursions and transfers to Czech Switzerland are in high demand. Czech Switzerland has become one of the main destinations for eco-tourism.
Bohemian Switzerland National Park
The new concept of eco-tourism recreation has come from a rapidly growing number of eco-tourists who love the most beautiful corners and sights created by miraculous nature.
The beauty of the natural landscapes of Bohemian Switzerland fascinates not only the eco-friendly, but also ordinary tourists and travelers. History of occurrence mountain range with crevices, streams and even lakes has more than one millennium. In ancient times, this part of the land with the Elbe Sandstone Mountains located on it was the subject of constant wars between Saxony, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Prussia. Robbers often ran here. Only in 1459 did it become clear about the ownership of the Elbe Sandstones, since the signing of the Treaty of Eger, the Elbe Sandstones were divided in the middle of the navigable Elbe. Since then, one half belongs to Saxony, which is part of Germany, and the other half has remained in the ownership of the Czech Republic. The Meissen plateau was the name of that part of the Elbe Sandstones or as the Saxons of the Ore Mountains called them, but it lasted until the 18th century, later they were renamed Saxon Switzerland. There is practically no reliable information about the name Czech Switzerland. Either the Czechs, having decided to keep up with the Germans, called their part Czech Switzerland, or vice versa the Germans, but now there are two Switzerlands on the map divided by the Elbe River Czech from the Czech Republic and Saxon from the German side.
Be that as it may, but the beauty of these Switzerland deserve attention. The highest point in Czech Switzerland is Decinsky Snezhnik 723m., and the main attraction of Czech Switzerland is the unique so-called Pravcicka Gate, they are also Pravcheska Brana in Czech written as Pravcicka Brana. The width of this gate is not small 26 meters, and the height is breathtaking 16 meters. The view at the Pravcicki Gate - a huge arch, probably the fact that they are the main attraction of the delightful Czech Switzerland confirms the fact that the entrance to them is paid! There is also a small diner, with the same small assortment on the menu, beer and sausages, that's the whole list of dishes. Nearby is a castle built in 1881 that has grown into the rock. It was built in just a year and has a suitable name for the place: Falcon's Nest in Czech (Sokolí hnízdo). Delightful nature, a sea of trails and routes, a mountain river on which there are boats with boat guides carrying tourists and telling about the landscapes that tourists pass by.
If you want to book excursions from Prague to Czech Switzerland, go to the page excursions in the Czech Republic from Prague.
If you want to order a transfer from Prague to Czech Switzerland, go to the page Transfer in the Czech Republic from Prague.
Related topics:
Prague tour prices in Russian.
Prague Czech Switzerland excursion, excursions in the Czech Republic, Czech Switzerland, Czech Republic excursions, Czech Switzerland transfer, Prague excursions, Czech Switzerland tours, attractions of the Czech Republic, nature in the Czech Republic.
Note:
The price of the excursion Czech Switzerland from Prague includes: transfer from your hotel to the very place of the excursion, a guided tour, the language of the excursion is Russian, transfer to the hotel back.
Here, you can learn everything about Czech Switzerland, from people who visited Czech Switzerland, read or write reviews and comments about Czech Switzerland - forum.
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Very beautiful, rivers, mountains, castle, water park
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When people talk about the Czech Republic, everyone immediately thinks of Prague and Karlovy Vary. But in this country there are many other equally wonderful cities - resorts and others - albeit small, but old, rich in historical monuments and having their own unique features.
I have already talked about thermal spa- Teplice, and now I want to open for you another small but cozy town in the Ustetsky region - Decin.
Decin, like Teplice, is located in the northwestern part of the Czech Republic, in an area called Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland, very close to Germany.
The town is located in a valley between mountain ranges, and it is here that the rivers Laba (aka Elbe) and Plouchnice meet. Therefore, Decin is an important river port.
The city itself is small - a little more than 50 thousand people live here, but there is something to see here.
interesting historical fact is that Decin (and in German - Techen-Bodenbach) as a single city was formed recently - in 1942. This happened as a result of the merger of two nearby villages - Techen and Bodenbach. Since 1947, the name of the city became Decin.
The city is incredibly beautiful: around mountain ranges, and between them - colorful houses and ponds.
Look at the positive architectural forms. When I saw them, I immediately had the thought that in such a vibrant city, people simply cannot be unhappy :)
The reservoirs here are magnificent, they are crossed by old and new bridges,
Ducks and majestic swans swim in the water itself, which are fed by numerous tourists with pleasure.
The most famous landmark of the city is Decin Castle, located on a hill on the right bank of the Laba. The history of the castle dates back to the 13th century. Initially, it belonged to noble families, and in 1934 it was sold to the state.
A road cut between the rocks leads to the castle - “Long Ride”, high stone walls stretch on both sides of it.
And here is the castle itself, it is under a long reconstruction, and inside it there is a museum where paintings, weapons and more are exhibited.
There is a magnificent rose garden on the territory of the castle, but we did not have the opportunity to see this beauty in full, since Decin was visited in March.
By the way, photography is not allowed in the castle, as I understand it, this is quite traditional for the Czech Republic.
Near the rosary is another historical monument- Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The church was built at the end of the 17th century and has hardly been restored since then.
Bohemian Switzerland is one of the national parks of the Czech Republic
Inside it is decorated with magnificent frescoes.
In addition to the above, there are many other historical and architectural monuments in Decin that are worth seeing: these are other churches, a synagogue, churches and chapels, town halls, fountains, the Shepherd's Wall - a sheer cliff on which the eponymous restaurant with more than a hundred years of history is sheltered.
Children will also be interested in Decin. On the same Shepherd's Wall there is a small, but old and well-groomed zoo.
There is also a water park here, which we were lucky to visit. It consists of a covered open areas and is considered one of the most modern in the Czech Republic.
Of course, it is worth going to Decin even if only to see the incredibly beautiful area in which the town is sheltered - mountains and rivers give it a unique charm.
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Czech-Saxon Switzerland
The Czech Republic is not offended by mountains. The Czech mountains, of course, are low, but picturesque. And one mountainous area even got the name "" ( České Švýcarsko). Eco wonder, you say, the labels "Switzerland" and "Venice" are the most common. A little city in the canals - right there "Venice". And if the area is hilly - "Switzerland", of course.
As for Czech Switzerland, in this case the Swiss themselves likened this corner of the Ore Mountains to their Switzerland. Swiss artists arrived in Dresden - to restore paintings in the Dresden Gallery - and in the vicinity of the Elbe they discovered an extremely attractive place: sharp sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, forested hills. “Well, like we have in Switzerland,” said the artists. And so it happened.
On the Czech side, the national park "Czech Switzerland" was formed. And on the other side of the Elbe - "Saxon Switzerland". We visited both there and there. In this article I will talk about our walk in Czech Switzerland, and in the next - about Saxony.
We left Prague around 8 in the morning and two hours later we were already approaching the Czech-German border. The river (in Czech, Laba), along which the border of countries passes, looks very romantic in this place: neither narrow nor wide, it flows among the wooded mountains, houses are visible in some places along its banks, but in general the place seems secluded and quiet .
City of Grzhensko
Our goal - city of Grzhensko, which stands at the confluence of the Kamenitsa River with the Laba. From Grzhensko start hiking trails in the Czech Switzerland National Park.
Pier near Grzhensko
Along the edges of the gorge, like entrance towers, there are two hotels. The Labe Hotel looks especially impressive - it seems that it is leaning against a rock.
The hotel opposite is more modest
We turn right and move along the Kamenitsa River.
The city of Grzhensko begins with long shopping arcades. The Vietnamese trade here.
The rows end in front of the main city square, as miniature as the whole city, with a small church.
The city is stretched along the river. Houses stand on both sides of the river, and behind them the mountain slopes rise.
Many hotels and private pensions. There are cafes and shops, in a word, the entire infrastructure of the resort town. The houses are cute. Let's say this one, overgrown with ivy.
And the most charming villa is hidden a little away from the road, behind a rocky ledge.
The series of houses along Kamenitsa is completed by the Praha Hotel, one of the best in the city. And the whole Grzhensko from "Labe" to "Praha" can be walked in 15 minutes.
Then the paths diverge. There is a hiking trail along the river (we returned to the city three hours later). Departs to the right highway to the village of Janov, on the left - to Mezne Louka and further to Jetřichovice, an old Saxon village.
Hiking trails in Bohemian Switzerland
Most tourists (including us) go to the town of Mezne Louka, from where hiking trails begin in the national park "Czech Switzerland" in the Grzhensko district.
Scheme hiking trails Grzhensko
The most popular route leads to Pravcicka Brana, a unique natural arch bridge. From Mezni Louka to Pravcicka Bran, walk along the path for 70 minutes (as indicated on the map of the park) and then another 45 minutes will take the road to Grzhensko.
We're heading down a different route. First, we pass 2 km along an asphalt road. The road goes among the fields.
Rocks can be seen in the distance above the crowns of trees.
We reach the boarding house "Na Vyhlidce".
Behind the house begins a trail that leads to the river Kamenitsa.
The descent to the river is steep and winding, the path winding among the rocks and trees.
Mountain serpentine ends with an exit to the bridge.
We have reached the bottom of the gorge. From the bridge, the canyon looks spectacular: vertical rock walls are opposite each other. How long did the water cut through the rocks to make its way!
Behind the bridge, the path turns and goes along the coast along the rocks (and sometimes under the overhanging rocks or in a punched tunnel).
In one place the gorge makes sharp turn and expands. In the place of expansion there is a house, which houses a small museum dedicated to the nature of this region.
Rafting on the river Kamenitsa
And here is the pier. Near the walkways are punts painted bright green. The boat is designed for 26 persons.
We are waiting for the laggards
We load into the boat and set sail downstream.
This section of Kamenitsa is called.
The boat is driven by a boatman with a pole. He stands at the stern, rules the boat and jokes. And in one place he slowed down, pulled a stretched cable with his hand, and a waterfall fell from above the rocks. Fortunately, not on us. The waterfall did not last long, I managed to photograph the last jets.
Here and there among the rocks there were funny wooden figurines.
And behind the next turn, such rocky fingers appeared.
This is how we sailed and sailed along the Edmundov Gorge. The place is very quiet, secluded, filled with a mysterious gloomy beauty. Everything is like from a fairy tale: silently flowing dark water, mossy stones in the riverbed, walls of the gorge going up, knotty tree roots clinging to the rocks, dark green crowns reflected in the water.
The only time our privacy was violated was when a boat passed us against the current. Yes, pushing a boat against the current with a sixth is not an easy task.
Finally the pier appeared. We disembarked and continued down the path along the river.
I thought that our walk through the protected forest had come to an end, but the way to Grzhensko took another 30-40 minutes. The gorge went on and on, we all stretched out along the path, there were few people, only closer to Grzhensko people began to meet.
One of the oldest and most famous nature reserves is Czech Switzerland. These lands were first discovered by Swiss and German artists. It happened in the era of romanticism. A hundred years later, Bohemian Switzerland was declared a national park. This is the fourth national park in the Czech Republic. In this article, we will learn how to get to the national park, and some information about the place.
The territory of the park Bohemian Switzerland
There are boarding houses and restaurants in the park. They are strewn along hiking and cycling trails. The Falcon's Nest Castle and the Pravchitsky Gate are the most famous places. The latter are generally a symbol of the whole region. This is the largest natural gate from the rock massif. They are absolutely rightfully considered the most beautiful part of Bohemian Switzerland. The base of the gate is twenty-six and a half meters, the width is seven to eight meters, the height of the arch is sixteen meters, the minimum thickness is three meters, and the highest platform is twenty-one meters from the base. It can be compared in importance with the Great American Canyon.
To visit the Czech Republic and ignore the Pravchitsky Gate is just a crime. They are inextricably linked with the Falcon's Nest residence. Just think, on the site of the castle until 1881 there was a small oak house and a pub. And today it is one of the main points on the map of the route through the reserve. Imagine an easy but long climb, and here you are enjoying golden Czech beer and looking at the country lying under your feet. The spirit of the Middle Ages is felt at the expense of Dolsky Mlyn, the ruins of a medieval mill. There is a small inconspicuous bridge nearby, but it attracts the attention of tourists very much. After all, this is the first reinforced concrete structure in Austria-Hungary. Lovers of antiquity and castles will also have something to see.
Visit the ancient rock castle Falkenstein. Together with Schaunstein Castle, Falkenstein is the most famous, and after visiting it there are a lot of positive impressions. Of course, you can not ignore the Czech crystal, which is called "Bohemian". However, it is not produced in Bohemia at all, but in Czech Switzerland. The oldest still operating glassworks in Europe is located in the village of Chrzypska. It was founded around the 1500s, and maybe earlier. Tours there are very popular. Tourists are very interested to know how this ancient production works.
Park opening hours:
The reserve is open to visitors all year round:
- April - October from 10:00 to 18:00,
- November - March weekend from 10:00 to 16:00.
*Entrance ticket to the territory of the reserve costs 50 kroons. Also on the territory there is an opportunity to buy additional excursions are paid separately.
Excursion "On a canoe through the Edmund Gorge" duration 15-20 minutes, price 80 EEK for adults, 40 EEK for children.
How to get from Prague to Czech Switzerland
Czech Switzerland by train from Prague. In Prague, you need to buy a ticket to the town of Decin (Děčín). Then you will need to make a transfer, at the station by bus to the Hřensko stop. This is actually the end point. Bus number 434
When the weekend good weather, many residents of the Czech Republic, especially residents major cities, rush to nature. At the same time, they go there not to drink and eat, but to take a walk or ride along beautiful places. We also try to maintain this tradition and go for walks in parks or forests. The recent weekend was no exception, and we went for a walk in Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland.
Bohemian Switzerland is one of four national parks Czech Republic which is located right on the border with Germany. Crossing the border, you immediately find yourself in the German national park Saxon Switzerland. The main objects of protection of the park are unique sandstone formations. Here you can find massive stone towers, arches, labyrinths, which were formed due to centuries of erosion. The most famous rock formation is the Pravčická brána, which is the main goal of our walk.
Leaving Prague early in the morning, passing and crossing the bridge over the Elbe, we find ourselves in the town of Hřensko, where we leave the car in the parking lot between the rocks. Grzhensko is a village with a population of only 200, which is located on the banks of the Elbe, and from which it is closest to get to the Pravcicka Gate. The distance from Grzhensko to Prague is 130 km.
Parking costs CZK 120 per day. There is a catastrophic lack of parking spaces, if someone leaves the car right in the middle of the road, then they write out a fine and put a wheel blocker.
In addition to the car, you can get from Decin to Grzhensko by bus, the travel time is about 30 minutes. In the summer months, there is still a boat from Decin, which also reaches German city Bad Schandau. It is most convenient to get to these places from Prague.
If you want to stay in Czech Switzerland for the night, then only in this area there are about 10 hotels and pensions. The Forest Garden Hotel is the most decent hotel in the area and is very popular due to its cleanliness, modern design and quiet location.
Not far from the parking lot there is a fork in the paths, along one of which we go to the ascent to the Pravchitsky Gate, along the other we can reach the place where the boats depart along the Kamenitsa River. During the boat trip you will see the waterfall and enjoy the local beauty without straining your legs.
Dawn meets in the forest. Forests cover 97% of the park's area, which is 79.23 km². Forests have helped these places to develop, since it was the processing of wood that became the main activity of the indigenous population. After all, the wood produced at local sawmills was supplied to the shipyards and used to build the masts of sailboats.
Initially, beech forests dominated the territory of the current park, now spruce trees mainly grow here.
During the walk, there were signs reminding that it is forbidden to launch drones throughout the park. The fine for launching a drone can be up to 200,000 Euros.
And so we reached our goal - the Pravchitsky Gate. Travel time from the parking lot at an average pace uphill is a little more than 1 hour.
In 1881, a small castle was added to the rock formations, which is called the Falcon's Nest (Sokolí hnízdo).
Entrance fee to the territory of the Pravcicki Gate and the castle: 75 CZK. Entrance fee for children, students and pensioners: 25 CZK.
On the observation deck there is a restaurant and separate tables where you can have a picnic with your own products or buy sausages, soup, beer or any other hot and cold drinks in the tent. If you do not want to eat here, then in the town of Grzhensko there are at least 5-7 restaurants at boarding houses with Czech cuisine.
The views from the observation deck are quite nice.
Someone takes a selfie on the observation deck, and someone hones their climbing skills, fortunately, the local rocks are suitable for this.
The park is inhabited by 62 species of mammals. Wolves, bears, moose have been exterminated here for a long time. Now the park is inhabited by beavers, various rodents, roe deer and wild boars. Also in the park there are 227 species of birds, 1000 species of butterflies, but the number of fish species is very low, and the park administration is engaged in the revival of the fish population in local rivers. So, for example, more than 1,200 salmon fry were launched in just one year.
It is worth mentioning that Bohemian Switzerland is the largest nesting site for black storks and falcons.
With a width of 26.5 and a height of 16, the Pravcicka Gate is the largest arched rock formation in Europe. The gate has become a symbol of the park.
After a busy walk and a short picnic, we went to Saxon Switzerland, and we decided not to waste time on the rest of the sights of Czech Switzerland, since they are not very picturesque.
