Mansions and castles along the painters’ path
On the trails of the romantics
The bizarre, almost fairy-tale like rock formations, the rugged gorges and lofty table mountains of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains have inspired people throughout time. This can be witnessed through the famous paintings, etchings and sketches by Caspar David Friedrich, Carl Gustav Carus and Ludwig Richter. Along the Malerweg (Painters‘ Path), one of Germany‘s most favorite hiking paths, you can follow their footsteps as well as discover quaint mansions and defiant fortifications. …more
Distance approx. 112 km
Links & Tips
Other routes
You will find other interesting routes here:
- The valley of the medieval castles
- Mansions and castles along the painters’ path
- Splendor and enjoyment
With music to the Bastei
While on his summer walks in the Liebethaler Grund, the famous Saxon composer Richard Wagner was searching for inspiration for his ”Lohengrin“. The museum in honor of him in nearby Graupa will soon move into the local castle. Within close proximity of the former restaurant Lochmühle you can also find the largest Richard Wagner monument in the world.
Along the Wesenitz River you come to Lohmen, whose castle was known as the ”Pearl of the Wesenitztal Valley“. Traveling downhill through the Wehlener Grund you reach the ruins of the medieval fortification of Wehlen. Up above Rathen, the most famous rock formation of the region, the Bastei (Bastion), can be found. From there, the visitor has a breathtaking view out over the Elbe River Valley. Also worthwhile is a visit to the information center of the Saxon Switzerland National Park, which displays various works of art in which the artists have captured the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Behind the Bastei, remnants of the Felsenburg Neurathen, which was set in stone, can be found. At the foot of the Bastei, Germany‘s most beautiful open-air theater, Felsenbühne Rathen, captivates its audience with its summer performances.
Bildansicht vergroessern- Cliff-stage in Rathen
Panoramic views and wafts of mist
From Hockstein with its remnants of a medieval fortification you have a wonderful view over the Polenztal (Polenz Valley), over which the impregnable Hohnstein Castle rises high upon a steep rock. From Hohnstein, the painters‘ path passes the former Bärengarten (Bears‘ Garden), witness to the passion for hunting of the Saxon court. The view from ”Brand“, the balcony of the Saxon Switzerland, is considered to be one of the most beautiful along the Painters‘ Path. Especially impressive are the wafts of mist that often rise from the valley in the early morning.
In Altendorf, you can enjoy a panoramic view towards the Schrammstein Mountains with their jagged rock formations. From here, the Painters‘ Path continues on to the Lichtenhain waterfall, a favorite destination that can also be reached by the Kirnitzschtalbahn (a historic tram). The trip continues towards the Kuhstall, a large rock cave, and by use of a narrow stairway the former manor Wildenstein is reached. At the peak of Arnstein, you can find the remnants of yet another robber-knight‘s castle. The ascent to the Great Winterberg Mountain, the highest elevation on the right side of the Elbe River, is worthwhile because of the impressive view into Bohemian Switzerland.
Bildansicht vergroessern- Bastei-bridge
On the left-side of the Elbe River
In Schmilka, on the border to the Czech Republic, the Elbe River is crossed by ferry. The view from Wolfsberg on the left side of the Elbe River is said to have inspired Caspar David Friedrich to paint ”Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer“ (”Wanderer above the Sea of Mist“). Papststein with its broken surface areas, fallen rocks and the Schwedenhöhle (Swedes‘ Cave), in which the citizens of the health resort Gohrisch found shelter during the war, are all worth a visit.
According to legend, the charming rock formation Barbarine on Pfaffenstein is a virgin turned to stone. From this point, it becomes obvious that the table mountains were once a connected sandstone plateau that developed at the bottom of the sea during the Cretaceous period. At the foot of the ”Quirl“, whose plateau was used for agricultural purposes in the past, the painters‘ path continues on to Königstein. Over the city reigns Europe‘s largest mountain fortress, Königstein Fortress, that invites its guests on a trip through its colorful history and offers fantastic views. Along the old fortification route, you travel onwards to Thümsdorf with its castle and its exotic park.
Bildansicht vergroessern- Barbarine
Impressions and excursions
In Naundorf the Robert Sterl House displays the heritage of the famous impressionist. Crossing the Königsnase, you descend to the Elbe River Cycling Path, the most favorite bike path in Germany. Reaching Pirna, a town still heavily influenced by the renaissance period, the painters‘ path comes to an end at the Canaletto House. Saxony‘s court painter Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto, immortalized its gable view in his oil painting ”Der Marktplatz zu Pirna“ (”The Pirna Market Square“). From here, it is only a short trip to Zuschendorf Castle, with its famous botanical collection in the same-named part of Pirna, as well as the Weesenstein Castle, in the close-by Müglitz Valley and the Gross-Sedlitz Baroque Garden in nearby Heidenau.