Pfaffenstein, Mountain summit in Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, Germany
Pfaffenstein is a sandstone summit in Saxon Switzerland that rises to 434.6 meters above the surrounding terrain. The landscape is shaped by steep cliff faces crossed by numerous climbing routes, while well-marked hiking trails of different difficulty levels crisscross the entire area.
The sandstone summit was opened to visitors in the 1890s when the first wooden observation structure was built. A sturdy metal tower was installed a few years later and continues to shape the appearance of the summit today.
The Barbarine rock formation takes its name from a local legend about a girl who left church to gather blueberries on the mountain. This distinctive pillar has become a recognizable landmark that shapes how people see and remember this region.
The mountain offers more than 30 designated climbing spots for different skill levels and a restaurant operating during the climbing season. Well-marked trails allow visitors to choose between easier walking routes and more challenging climbing adventures depending on their abilities.
The Barbarine pillar has been closed to climbers since 1975 to protect the rock and its structure. This rule has turned the formation into a geological monument that can be admired from afar as the distinctive symbol of Saxon Switzerland.
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