Saxon Switzerland
Mountain range along the Czech–German border, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
The Ore Mountains (German: Erzgebirge, pronounced [ˈeːɐtsɡəˌbɪʁɡə] or [ˈɛʁts-] ; Czech: Krušné hory) lie along the Czech–German border, separating the historical regions of Bohemia in the Czech Republic and Saxony in Germany. The highest peaks are the Klínovec in the Czech Republic (German: Keilberg) at 1,244 metres (4,081 ft) above sea level and the Fichtelberg in Germany at 1,215 metres (3,986 ft). The mountains are popular for hiking and there are winter sports areas at higher elevations. In 2019, the region became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Location
- Saxony, Germany, on the German-Czech border
- Highest elevation
- Klínovec at 1,244 m above sea level (Czech side); Fichtelberg at 1,215 m (German
- Administrative district
- Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge
Lore & Background
The Ore Mountains have been intensively reshaped by human intervention and a diverse cultural landscape has developed. Mining in particular, with its tips, dams, ditches and sinkholes, directly shaped the landscape and the habitats of plants and animals in many places. The region was also the setting of the earliest stages of the early modern transformation of mining and metallurgy from a craft to a large-scale industry, a process that preceded and enabled the later Industrial Revolution. The name 'Ore Mountains' reflects this history: in German, Erzgebirge literally means 'ore mountains', as do the Upper Sorbian name Rudne horiny and the historical Czech Rudohoří. The current Czech name, Krušné hory, comes from old Czech krušec, meaning 'piece of ore'. Historically, they were also known as Vyšehory, meaning 'high mountains'.
Reader's Guide
The Ore Mountains are one of the most geologically researched mountain ranges in the world. They are a Hercynian block tilted so as to present a steep scarp face towards Bohemia and a gentle slope on the German side. The main geologic feature is the Late Paleozoic Eibenstock granite pluton, exposed for 25 miles along its northwest–southeast axis and up to 15 miles in width. Ore veins include iron, copper, tin, tungsten, lead, silver, cobalt, bismuth, uranium, plus iron and manganese oxides. The most important rocks occurring are schist, phyllite and granite with contact metamorphic zones in the west, basalt as remnants on several peaks, and gneisses and rhyolite in the east. The higher altitudes from around 500 m above sea level on the German side belong to the Ore Mountains/Vogtland Nature Park – the largest of its kind in Germany with a length of 120 km. The eastern Ore Mountains are protected landscape. Other smaller areas on the German and Czech sides are protected as nature reserves and natural monuments. On the ridges there are also several larger raised bogs that are only fed by rainwater.
Did You Know?
- The Ore Mountains are one of the most geologically researched mountain ranges in the world.
- The region was the setting of the earliest stages of the early modern transformation of mining and metallurgy from a craft to a large-scale industry.
- The Ore Mountains/Vogtland Nature Park is the largest nature park in Germany, with a length of 120 km.
- The highest peak is Klínovec at 1,244 metres, while the highest on the German side is Fichtelberg at 1,215 metres.
- The mountains became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Saxon Switzerland and where is it located?
Saxon Switzerland is a hilly sandstone region in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, situated just southeast of Dresden in the German state of Saxony. It borders the Czech Republic to the east, where the adjacent area is called Bohemian Switzerland.
How many climbing routes can you find in Saxon Switzerland?
The reserve offers roughly 14,000 established climbing routes spread across more than 1,100 individual sandstone pinnacles. This makes it a major destination for rock climbers drawn to its distinctive geological formations.
When was the Saxon Switzerland National Park established?
The national park was created in September 1990 to safeguard the region's unique natural character. It encompasses a total area of 93 square kilometres.
What is the highest elevation in Saxon Switzerland?
The peak known as Großer Zschirnstein stands at 562 metres above sea level, making it the tallest point in the reserve. Another well-known landmark within the area is the Fortress of Königstein.
Which administrative district does Saxon Switzerland fall under?
It is governed within the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district of Saxony. The region also forms part of the broader Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland area that spans the German-Czech border.
More in Mountain And Alpine Reserves 1-19
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