České Švýcarsko National Park, National park at Czech-German border, Czech Republic
České Švýcarsko is a national park in Děčín District at the Czech-German border. Its 79.28 km² protect blocky sandstone formations, including the Pravčická brána arch, the largest natural sandstone gate in Europe, with the Sokolí hnízdo chateau beside it. Forests cover 97% of the park, and the Elbe, Kamenice and Křinice rivers cut gorges through the sandstone plateau.
The area gained national park status in January 2000 to protect its rock formations and habitats. Cooperation with the Saxon side created a continuous protected zone across the border.
The name comes from Swiss painters Anton Graff and Adrian Zingg, who taught at the Dresden Academy from 1776 and found the Elbe landscape reminded them of home; the name appeared in print by 1785. In 1879 the Hřensko branch of the Bohemian Switzerland Mountain Society began marking trails, building footbridges, shelters and lookout towers, and in 1884 opened the gorges to visitors.
Marked trails cross the park, though some routes include ladders or metal steps on steep sections. The information center in Krásná Lípa provides maps and advice on planning a walk.
Pravčická brána measures 27 meters across and 16 meters tall, making it the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe. Walkers once crossed the bridge, but access to the arch itself is now closed to preserve it.
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