エルツ山地の天然記念物・トップ20

The large peace bell on the Fichtelberg had to remain silent for six months in 2024. Stone throwing in May 2022 had so badly damaged the bell that its sound suffered. It was decided to stop ringing it and replace it with a new one. The old bell rang for the last time on Easter Monday 2024. Just in time for the mountain service on German Unity Day on October 3, the new bell was officially rung for the first time in the fall of 2024. The idea of using a peace bell to commemorate the peaceful revolution of 1989 in the GDR and German reunification in 1990 came from watchman Gerd Schlesinger and night watchman Jörg Eller from the Ore Mountains town of Schwarzenberg. The bell was also intended to be heard in neighboring Czechia and thus ring for a united Europe. The cast steel bell, already ninety years old at the time, was rung for the first time in 2010. The new bell was cast in Innsbruck by the Grassmayr company. At 2,700 kilograms, it is about 1,100 kilograms heavier than the old bell.

The Greifensteine are a rock formation in Saxony, known for climbing and mountaineering, among other things. Their highest point reaches an elevation of approximately 731 meters above sea level. The area around the Greifensteine is a nature reserve.

The deep valley with exposed gneiss is the result of the erosion of the Zschopau, which rises on the Fichtelberg and has been flowing in a northerly direction with a greater gradient since the uplift of the Ore Mountains block in the Tertiary period, and flows into the Freiberg Mulde near Döbeln. Steep, often bizarre rock faces are created on steep slopes by the increased flow speed. The most impressive formation is probably an overhanging cliff.

a very nice corner

The area near the eponymous town of Tisá (Tyssa), with its up to 30 m high cliffs, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bohemian Switzerland. The Tyssa Walls are located at a height of around 600 m above sea level. An entrance fee is charged for entry into the rock labyrinth - when we were there, the ticket office was closed, so we saved money. Many of the rocks have names that are actually accurate when you look closely - e.g. the porcini mushroom, or the outline of Africa. The 4 km long circular route is not too difficult, but it is not possible to do it without stairs and ladders. And there is also a mayor here.

The small donation doesn't hurt, you can give the operators a small donation, then immerse yourself in a country of thousands of hiking enthusiasts.🇨🇿✌️🫠📸

If you like rock formations, this is the place for you. There is so much to discover that you can plan a whole day here.

One of the most beautiful valleys in the Ore Mountains.