Country Germany Elevation 112 m (367 ft) Area 3.58 km² Population 406 (31 Dec 2008) Dialling code 035024 | State Saxony Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Local time Saturday 3:57 AM Postal code 01824 | |
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District Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge Municipal assoc. Königstein/Sächs. Schweiz Weather 2°C, Wind SE at 3 km/h, 95% Humidity | ||
Bastei saxon switzerland s chsischen schweiz rathen germany deutschland
Rathen is a village in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, in Saxony, Germany, about 35 km southeast of Dresden on the Elbe River. Rathen has between 400 and 500 inhabitants.
Contents
- Bastei saxon switzerland s chsischen schweiz rathen germany deutschland
- Map of Rathen Germany
- Overview
- History
- Tourism
- Local places of interest
- References
Map of Rathen, Germany
Overview
Rathen is a popular tourist destination, the main sights are the Bastei cliffs, the Amselsee (a lake), and the outdoor theater "Felsenbühne Rathen".
The Rathen Ferry, a passenger reaction ferry, connects Niederrathen, on the right bank of the Elbe river, to Oberrathen on the left bank. Kurort Rathen railway station, on the Dresden S-Bahn and the Dresden to Prague railway, is adjacent to the Oberrathen ferry terminal. Rathen is also a stop for the paddle steamers operating between Dresden and the Czech border.
History
Rathen was founded in the 13th century around 1261 as place for a castle fortress.
During World War II, a subcamp of Flossenbürg concentration camp was located here.
Tourism
The state-recognised climatic spa of Rathen is not only the base for tours in the western part of Saxon Switzerland, but also for the world-famous Bastei rocks. Other popular destinations in the local Amselgrund valley are the lake of Amselsee and the Rathen Open Air Stage. There are a good 400 inhabitants on both sides of the Elbe, linked by a historic reaction ferry, that is a protected monument. In addition to the Old Mill of 1567, which was nearly demolished after the hundred year flood, there is a range of other timber-framed houses.
Due to its proximity to the town of Wehlen the following wordplay saying is given to visitors: "Sie können Rathen wählen, ich würde Ihnen auch zu Wehlen raten." ("You can choose Rathen, I would also recommend Wehlen to you.")