Zirkelstein, Mountain summit in Reinhardtsdorf-Schöna, Germany.
Zirkelstein is a mountain in Saxon Switzerland with a sandstone summit that rises steeply from the landscape. The terrain narrows toward the top and creates a distinctive cone-shaped silhouette.
The mountain received its name in the early 1600s because of its compass-like shape. A century later, an inn was built on its slopes to serve travelers.
The mountain has long been part of local identity and appears in paintings by German artists who captured this region's landscapes. People use the summit today to enjoy views and spend time outdoors.
The path up begins in Schöna and is marked with yellow signs, making it easy to follow the route. Metal steps and railings help on steep sections and make the climb safer.
Despite its modest size, this mountain is known as the smallest table hill in Saxon Switzerland and has been painted by artists for centuries. From the summit on clear days, you can see across the border into the Bohemian landscape.
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