Bohemian Switzerland, Protected mountain range in northern Czech Republic
Bohemian Switzerland is a mountain range in northern Czech Republic covering roughly 700 square kilometers with deep canyons and distinctive sandstone rock formations. Dense forests blanket the terrain, creating varied environments that reward exploration on foot.
The region gained its name in the 18th century when Swiss artists Adrian Zingg and Anton Graff compared its landscape features to their homeland. This naming reflected how outside perspectives shaped the area's identity.
Castles scattered throughout the landscape reveal how people once defended trade routes and later sought shelter from dangers. These stone structures remain central to how visitors experience the region and understand its past uses.
Marked trails connect major attractions like Pravčická Gate and Kamenice Gorge with local villages, making it easy to plan routes at your own pace. Starting points are distributed across the region, so you can enter from different locations depending on where you stay.
The region contains Pravčická Gate, a massive sandstone arch that stands as Europe's largest natural rock formation of this type. This distinctive bow-shaped opening formed gradually through erosion and draws visitors curious about its scale and geometry.
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