We took the train from Berlin to Rathen. There is a Niederrathen and an Oberrathen on either side of the river Elbe and we took a ferry to get from one side to the other
We stayed in this 13th century castle called Burg Altrathen.
The weather was perfect and we enjoyed lunch, dinner and afternoon coffee on the terrace of the castle.
The entrance to the castle.
The castle wine cellar in its original form.
Our room at Burg Alt-Rathen.
View from the terrace to the river valley below. The non-motorized ferry shown here transfered visitors from one side of the river to the other.
The river Elbe runs through this valley and occasionally floods the town of Rathen. The last time was in April of 2006.
A view of the "Bastei" rock formations on our hike up the hill side. The rocks are sandstone.
The "Bastei" is located high over the river valley and offers a spectacular view for visitors down on the river.
A small stone bridge connects one rock formation to the next. The Neurathen fortress was built about the same time as the castle we stayed in on these very rocks.
The rock shown here is called the "monk".
A sign pointed to the various rocks and displayed their names.
The "monk" rock up close.
We went into an area where a trail led through the former fortress. Part of its defense system was a catapult...
... shown here.
This is an artist's rendition of what the fortress may have looked like, suspended on the Bastei rocks.
Back in the town of Niederrathen, I took a picture of this display of doll house furniture...
Detail shot of dollhouse furniture and doll.
On one of our hikes towards the "Kleine Bastei", we stumbled upon a beautiful rhododendron garden.
Mossy stone steps wound their way up through the garden.
I was so taken by all the beautiful colors...
I kept taking pictures of rhododendron in bloom.
We also saw lilies of the valley.
More rhododendron bushes as we walked through a town nearby.
And columbine...
Our hike took us along the river Elbe and we could see Rathen again in the distance.
Rathen closer up.
Walking through town we came upon this sign for smoked trout.
And we saw a lot of river boats going up and down the Elbe.
Iris in bloom.
Another shot of the bridge spanning over the rocks.
Looking out across the river valley, we could see mesa-type topography.
The "Grosse Bastei" with bridge.
I was trying to capture how high up we were looking over the rocks but none of the shots really imparted the feeling of vertigo I got everytime I looked over the edge of the railing.
